Some of my favorite memories in life are the ones I've made while fishing with my dad. Whether I'm being dragged in circles in the kayak trying to keep my fishing pole in front of me, or stepping on and breaking his fishing pole while he swims out to retrieve the kayak that's floating away from the oyster bar, there's never a dull day when it comes to fishing. I'll never be anywhere near as knowledgeable as he is, but I have learned quite a few things along the way.
1. Fishing can be very hard.
I soon learned that you can't just take a break halfway through reeling it in, no matter how long it's been since your last arm workout.
2. Just because you've got it on the line doesn't mean you're gonna catch it.
Getting it hooked is just the beginning. A lot of things can happen between the time you get the fish on the line and when you actually get it in the boat. Don't take it for granted and make sure you reel the darn thing in quick.
3. Hold the fish close to the camera when you take the picture.
If you hold it all the way out in front of you so that your body is in the background, it's much more flattering for your fish. It can make your 8 inch fish look like the catch of a lifetime.
4. Good things come to those who wait.
Sometimes the waiting part takes hours. Sometimes it takes the entire day, but then at the end of the day when you reel it back up you realize that the bait you had been seeing every time you checked that it was still there was actually not on the hook, but had slid all the way up the fishing line, and the hook was actually about 3 feet below with a large flounder chilling out on it. Dad, you know what I'm talking about.
5. Fishing isn't just about catching fish.
Some of the best stories come from the crazy and beautiful things you see along the way. Even if it means your shark getting eaten off of the hook right when you get it up to the boat.
6. Sometimes you have to let things go.
Whether it's a fish that's half an inch too small or your upper hand on the fishing pole when you cast it, sometimes you've got to let go. Some things can be a little harder than others...
7. Cut yourself some slack sometimes.
Or else you might end up casting your whole fishing pole into the water.
8. Expect the unexpected.
There's no such thing as a normal fishing day. You never know what's going to happen when you set out for a day at sea.
9. There are an infinite amount of pin fish in the sea.
They may not be the best or the hardest to catch, but they help you catch the better ones. You gotta start learning from somewhere... not to mention, they make pretty good bait.
10. Pay attention to the little things.
And just things in general.
11. You'll stop being scared of the fish eventually...
12. ...But everyone will laugh at you in the meantime.
Happy father's day, dad! Thanks for all the fishing memories.
