at the risk of sounding pitiful, can one learn to fish from a book? a video?
any recommendations?

sure you can learn to fish from a book. Just read the right ones. You can learn even more from asking folks on this site. The only thing you got to know if your serious about learning is that there is a lot debate on bait or artificial. Neither is really wrong, but if you are truly knew there are plenty that can help. Like me!

quote HawksEye: "at the risk of sounding pitiful, can one learn to fish from a book? a video?
any recommendations?
"

Absolutely you can, and if I can make a recommendation, get any video from the Infisherman for whatever species your after and you will learn from them. Of all the different fisherman that Ive learned from over the years, Bil Dance, Virgil ward, Jimmy Houston, Babe Winkleman, Tony Dean. The one fisherman that i respect above any other is Al Lindner, because he is a multispecies angler and hes very good at catching all of them. Look into some of the articles that he and others have written and you will learn a ton about fishing. Theres many many good articles from a thousand anglers, but when Im looking to learn from the best of the best to me thats Al Lindner . You never stop learning either, I have been fishing for about 44 of my soon to be 47 years on this earth, and I still learn at least one or two things every year that I didnt know. Never be afraid to ask questions, Ive been in a boat with people and caught 15 fish or more to their zero before they asked me what I was using or how I was using it. Man let me tell you if its was me with zero fish by the time you caught your third fish not only would I have asked you what you were using and how you were using it, I would have asked you your mothers maiden name your social security number, and what kind of dessert you like most. The point is dont be to proud or stubborn to learn and ask questions thats how you gain knowledge and become better at anything. If you want to know something on this website just ask away, there are very many knowledgeable people that are more than willing to help you out .

Well said. Infisherman Magazine and the Lindner family taught me to fish, think, respond to conditions. (I first learned of the Sluggo, and how to work it from the mag....made A LOT of money from that sucker!!) Casting accuracy and coordination can be learned over the winter in your backyard. However, on the water experience will prove invaluable.
Suggest: Contact a Bass Club. Ask if there is someone willing to show you the basics. If you are in my area, you can contact me. Most fishermen are rather gregarious, willing to teach.
Welcome to the sport, and good luck!!

I have found the InFisherman specie-specific books to be very helpful. They cover locations based on seasons and water-types, baits and lures to use and techniques that work. All written in clear, easy-to-read language. And, they include great pictures of big fish to get your juices flowing.

You need to read this book on fishing in the BWCA and Quetico. Go to the fishing books link.Book

quote Basspro69: "...If you want to know something on this website just ask away...."

just don't expect answers about the location of their honey holes, eh?

It's true about the Lindner stuff. Lots of those guys are frauds, Al is the original. Coupled with time on the water, Infisherman magazine is a good place to start.
Another suggestion: Spend a fw bucks on ice-fishing gear, including a camera and a vexilar-style flasher. Really a fun way to learn about fish and their (cold water) habits. More than a couple of friends of mine have become hooked (pun) this way.

The InFisherman magazines were excellent. I don't know what they are like anymore (since Al Lindner left). He has his own fishing show now - "Lindner's Angling Edge". Always educational. Always entertaining. There may be some good educational stuff on the Angling Edge website.

You might consider picking a body of water and hiring a guide. They usually welcome novices and are used to "instructing" clients.

You will essentially get a hands on 8 hour tutorial from a true journeyman. I would have given up fishing long ago, were it not for a couple of guides who taught me how to catch fish in the simplest terms.

quote HawksEye: "

quote Basspro69: "...If you want to know something on this website just ask away...."

just don't expect answers about the location of their honey holes, eh?"

Alot of folks will give you specific locations on big lakes because your probably not going to do any damage to the fishery, small lakes are a different story however.

I wouldnt bother with books, there,s wayyy more info on fishing on google than any book.

These books-magazines and so called pro fishermen are crap. All they do is try to sell product. Research on-line,like here will bring better results. Ask specifics on the fish you want and when you want to catch them, and we can give you real advice without a commercial.

quote togue: " I wouldnt bother with books, there,s wayyy more info on fishing on google than any book.


These books-magazines and so called pro fishermen are crap. All they do is try to sell product. Research on-line,like here will bring better results. Ask specifics on the fish you want and when you want to catch them, and we can give you real advice without a commercial.
"

Well put!!
Thank you:)

... All they do is try to sell product.... "

it can be rather blatant-- i went to Al Lindner's website and the first things that caught my eye were little video clips- watched 'em all and they were obviously sponsored by the makers of the lures he was teaching us to use... sometimes it is hard to see past the commercial interests to the lessons being taught.

but, thanks for the advice. My local library does have In-Fisherman- the magazine and a few of their DVDs.

quote HawksEye: "

... All they do is try to sell product.... "

it can be rather blatant-- i went to Al Lindner's website and the first things that caught my eye were little video clips- watched 'em all and they were obviously sponsored by the makers of the lures he was teaching us to use... sometimes it is hard to see past the commercial interests to the lessons being taught.


but, thanks for the advice. My local library does have In-Fisherman- the magazine and a few of their DVDs.
"

The three that Gutmon highlighted are excellent reads and will teach you the nature of the fish, and you dont have to go through the tackle pitch that all of these shows have now

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