PatN

Hello everyone-My husband and I are now retired and I have always wanted to learn to fish. We just recently purchased an older used Alumacraft 16ft v-bottom boat with 30 hp and trolling motor. We live in Central Illinois and are looking for lakes to fish within Illinois to start. We have tinkered with shore fishing when our Boys were little and seemed to have pretty good luck catching little panfish. Since getting the boat we have gone out twice with absolutely no luck catching anything. What are ways to learn proper bait and gear to use? Books, videos, etc. I have a feeling we are doing something totally wrong. I need to start catching fish to justify getting the boat😊 Any ideas? Thanks

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Welcome Pn

U tube
Depth finder

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

Welcome Pat from Alabama Bill. Trying looking up Want to learn to fish resources. UTube is a great resource.

Dennisjj Loc: Kinston N.C.

Got to be u tube give it a try lot of info on it.

Raw Dawg Ron Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Enjoy boating and pick up fishing too. Its a blast just being in the outdoors. Our favorite adventure included seeing an eagle fly up to an osprey and take a fish away from ospreys talons! That was just before hitting the water, what a site to see eagle fly away with good sized mullet. Never forget that day!

spoonplugger Loc: goldsboro,nc

is the boat tiller steering

badbobby Loc: Humble Texas

try to find "Fishin Gals'
club in your area
they would be glad to have you and could help you learn
but trial and error have made many a good fisherman(woman)

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Maybe go back to where you had good luck land fishing but this time do the reverse and throw towards the shore. If catching where you used to catch venture out by boat from there.

plumbob

mmrauch Loc: West Deptford, NJ

Try Carlisle Lake which is East of Highland and Breese. It’s known for great fishing.

msmllm Loc: Huntington, WV

Be very careful in that boat. Wear your life vests.

PatN

Yes it is a tiller.

PatN

Thanks. We always wear life jackets. To many good swimmers drown in certain situations.

Mustang66 Loc: Lake Palestine,TX

After you find a lake you really like try and find a local guide to go with that likes to teach. It can be expensive but well worth it. Check local marinas or tackle store for recommendations. That is how my wife and I got started on the lake we retired to. Good luck with your new life.

Ken B

Fishing is a pastime that requires a tremendous amount of patience so get used to not catching fish on a continuous basis. It has been a month since I caught a fish but I keep trying because it is the enjoyment of getting out and thinking today is the day I land a big one knowing it probably ain’t gonna happen but I gotta keep trying. I have over 60 years of that kind of fishing experience and I honestly don’t regret a day of it. Not only that I get to spend quality time with my son on weekends since I got him interested in fishing a couple months ago.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

To Pat N in Illinois; A few questions and suggestions for your fishing excursions -
Where on the lake or pond are you fishing ? Do you have/use a fishfinder or do you just pick a spot and drop anchor ? What depths are you fishing ?
First, if you don't have a fishfinder, look into getting
a fishing chart for which-ever lake you're fishing; it will show you depths, struc-ture, grass/weed beds, etc.,
to help you target certain areas and increase your chances of hooking up ! In cooler weather, target the northern shoreline early, especially weedy shallows, as those areas will warm up first ! Later, when the sun is higher and the weather and water warm up, start fishing deeper structure ! What baits are you using ? Worms, night-crawlers, grasshoppers, crickets, minnows, shiners, frogs etc. are top produ-cers, depending on species targeted ! Next are the rubber baits (worms, grubs, tube baits), then
spinners, spoons, crank-
baits; use whichever you're most comfortable with and
learn to use the others as your experience grows ! In deeper lakes the bottom is not your friend; different species may stack up at different levels depending on their temperature prefer-ences, oxygen require-ments, food preferences, etc. ! Some may prefer the shallower, warmer layers, while others will more likely
be found somewhat deeper
(between 10 to 40 feet) ! Start by each fishing a different depth with each adjusting their depth until the fish are found ! Then just home in on the depth at which they're suspend-ing and/or feeding ! Depending on legality in your area, chumming won't hurt your chances, either !