How Did You Discover Boating?

We all have our own boating stories that are very special to us to tell. Some are exciting, some, “The Norm.”  One of my favorite stories that i love for people to share with me is how they discovered boating. Hearing their tails from childhood, or talking about their buddies in college, or even if they were a late bloomer and didn't discover boating until they were older. Those stories are the best. The story teller always has an emotional connection to the story and they always end in a smile.


One of the most common birth of a boater story is I was born and bred into this great lifestyle. We know it, we have heard it, and for most of us, we have lived it. We were born into a family of boaters. Mom and dad or the grandparents had a boat and we would spend our summers and weekends enjoying every second we possibly could on the water. Once we were old enough, we bought our own boat, had a couple of kids, and carried on the family tradition.


Another common discover boating story, which sometimes can be a little more entertaining, is the while I was at college story. This one has a little more variation, but the essence of the story is still the same. You meet a lot of new friends during your college years and one of those friends happens to be one of those people we mentioned earlier about being born into boating. They talk to you about it and then you finally agree to go out on their boat. That one trip is all it took; you were a boater for rest of your life.


The third most common boating discovery story is the person who doesn’t find boating until later in their life. Maybe they have a work colleague who shares with them how they unwind after a long week at work. Maybe it is a friend, neighbor, or even their own kids who say that boating is good for the soul. Whoever does the introduction, the ending is always the same, one happy new boater.


Everybody’s stories are different. We all come from different backgrounds, have different experiences in our lives, but we all have one thing in common; our love of boating. Now it is your turn, we want to hear your story. Tell us, how did you discover boating?

So You Want To Start Fishing

Imagine this; you are walking into your local sporting goods store because you have decided to take up the sport of fishing. You walk over to the fishing isle and you stand in front of what seems like a mile long display of different types of fishing rods. You are about ready to throw your hands up in the air and say I’ll just go buy some fish. Well, hang on a second before you give up. Yes, it can be overwhelming but let me help you to make it a little more manageable.


Picking a rod is an important process in fishing. I mean without a rod how are you going to catch anything? Now, back to the mile long display. What you are trying to catch plays a huge part in the rod that you choose. There are 5 different categories of rod/reel combinations. They are, spin casting, spinning, bait casting, trolling, and fly casting. The first decision you have to make is what kind of fish are you looking to catch?


Once you know what you are looking to catch, that will help you to decide the length of the rod that you will need. The longer the rod the longer the cast, more control over the line, and more accuracy. A shorter rod will give you the power and heaviness that a longer rod cannot provide.


Congratulations, you are shortening that overwhelming rod isle. The next step would be to choose a reel. For us first time anglers, a spinning reel is suggested for use. Of the five different categories mentioned, spinning reel holds the line in a spool and the line is cast off one end.


Your last decision in picking your new fishing pole is down to how much you are willing to pay. They can cost from $10 to thousands of dollars. Once you think you have found the rod you want, pick it up and handle it. Give it a good once over to check for cracks or defects. Once you are satisfied with your choice, it is time to hit the water and begin enjoying the sport of fishing.