Fishing is a great way to decompress from daily life responsibilities without a worry in the world. Getting out into nature, enjoying the serenity of the quiet environment, and relaxing in the weather makes fishing is a great hobby everyone should indulge in no matter what the cost.
Fishing is a fun way to explore the outdoors and appreciate the little things in life. It takes some skill in knowing where the fish are and what lures work in particular areas. Mr. Stuart McCullough, FFA teacher and an avid fisherman said, “I like being outdoors; I live in it.” McCullough brought his recent ocean catch of tuna and a blue fin tuna to school to show students how to process the fish. He enjoys all types of fishing from lake fishing, to stream and fly fishing to deep sea fishing.
Fishing can also be a hobby used for relaxation. “I like fishing because it is my peace and every time I’m having a stressful day or something I like to go fishing,” said Jose Chavez (11).
Anyone is capable of fishing no matter when, where and how. Whether it’s ocean fishing, canal fishing, lake fishing, or river fishing, all one really needs is a strong fishing rod with a good line and a lure. A basic freshwater setup including the fishing rod, line and a lure will cost on average $50 dollars. A fishing license in California will costs $60.
On the other hand, ocean fishing is a little more on the pricey side, and can cost up to $200-300 dollars for a basic setup. Even if on the pricey side ocean, fishing is one of the best forms of fishing based on the explosiveness of the rapid fish that inhabit the big blue sea. Shore fishing at the ocean can be successful for many fishermen who can still catch a bundle of fish. Fishing on a boat is very fun, but not necessary to catch fish. If fishing out in deeper waters of the ocean interests a fisherman, it’ll cost a little extra more to pay to be on someone’s boat costing an average of $220 per person for the day.
Either your family fished for money, or as a kid you fished with your pops or didn’t, it doesn’t matter when or how one starts. McCullough stated proudly, “My Grandparents from my Mom side of the family fished for money on the East coast, and my grandparents from my Dad side did a lot of fly fishing, so that’s why I love fishing.”
All that matters is how you’re going to catch your next big fish. There is no specific age to start this hobby. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the people who’ve been fishing all their lives, the fishing community is very welcoming. Moises Salvatire (9) said, “I like to fish because it’s an adventure.”
Fishing is a required skill that everyone should learn at some point in their life. Fishing will teach you things you have never been taught before. “Fishing taught me how patient and humbling and rewarding fishing can be and just the outdoors overall,” McCullough said.
Fishing teaches you how to handle fish, respect wildlife, and shows you how to be patient and humble. It makes you appreciate fishing as a hobby and a lifestyle. “Fishing has taught me patience because you’re not always going to catch a fish,” said Michael Caelho.
People tend to forget fishing isn’t always about fishing. It’s about getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors for what it is. “You don’t always catch something, most of the time you won’t be catching anything, but you’re not fishing to catch something, you’re fishing to relax,” said Chavez.
Fishing can be very rewarding even if you caught a very small bluegill or a monstress 160 pound bluefin tuna straight from the big blue sea like McCullough. In the end all that matters is that you went outside and enjoyed the outdoors and tried.
If confused where to begin fishing, anywhere with a wide body of water will be fine. Los Banos Creek is a great spot to catch bass and a great spot to catch striped bass would be on Canyon Road on the bridge above the aqua duct. Los Banos is central to many locations to catch fish anywhere from the ocean, local canals, and lakes and rivers in the mountains. There are many options to enjoy the outdoors and try your hand at fishing.
Depending on what type of fisherman you want to be, it’s fine to catch and release or eat what you catch. “Depending on the fish, I eat it raw, smoked, and grilled,” said McCullough.
“I fry catfish and my Mom cooks trout and makes us some tacos,” said Caelho.
When you become a fisherman, there will be a moment in time when you’ve caught the biggest fish of your life. This experience is the most rewarding and humbling. McCullough stated with accomplishment, “Last weekend I caught a 160 pound Bluefin Tuna with my buddy.”
As a fisherman your lure of choice goes a long way and if lost during a fishing excursion may not be attainable, leading to the search for a new lure. “My favorite and best lure is a Spoon XL, which hasn’t been made for 30 years,” said McCullough.
The decision to find the most superior bait is a challenge because a good fisherman wants the best chance of catching the next big fish. “I like to use swimbaits or power baits because they catch the big fish,” said Caelho. In the end it depends on what you’re trying to catch. Whether it be a salmon migrating down the cold rocky stream of water or the big cutthroat trout surfing through the water looking for its prey. Research and trying new things is what fishing is all about.
At a certain point of your journey as a fisherman, you will have memories that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life whether it’s the biggest fish you caught, the company that is fishing with you, or a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Whatever it is, know that there are more fish to come that will break the last record. Keep trying and keep fishing. “I was at Pyramid Lake and caught a 20 pound Cutthroat trout with a knot that I tied while I was with my son and his friend,” said McCullough.
McCullough is a great example of what every fisherman should strive to become. He has mastered many forms of fishing and has many experiences to share about fishing, locations, and memories. It takes time to perfect this sport. Each time you go out fishing, relax, and have fun, and keep your fingers crossed for that big fish to land.
