Your First Time Planning A Fishing Holiday? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Fishing is a popular sport with people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for some peace and quiet in the Scottish hills or a family searching for an adventure off the coast of Miami there’s a type of fishing out there for you. But everyone needs to get started somewhere and for those who are new to fishing and who are looking to dip their toe in the water for the first time, the prospect of planning a fishing holiday can be daunting, and so below we’re going to outline some things that you may want to think about before planning your trip and some helpful tips and tricks that will keep you out of deep water along the way. 

So you want to plan a fishing holiday – but what type?

Fishing is an extremely broad sport and although all types of fishing are fun, there may be one type more than the others that floats your boat, so here are a few of the most common types to consider. 

Saltwater Fishing 

Saltwater fishing refers to catching fish from saltwater environments such as the ocean and is often just as much about the adventure as it is about catching the fish. The saltwater fishing category can also be broken down much further, encompassing pier fishing, surf fishing, and deep water fishing. Saltwater pier and surf fishing is a great way to get started for the novice angler and usually involves catching smaller more manageable fish using less tackle. For the more advanced angler, for those looking for more of an adventure, deep water fishing takes you further out into the ocean and can provide you with the opportunity to catch much larger fish such as sailfish and blue marlin. 

Freshwater Fishing

Freshwater fishing refers to fishing in water with little to no salt content. As one of the easiest types of fishing to learn it is very popular with both beginners and more experienced anglers alike. Freshwater fishing will take you to rivers, ponds, and lakes and can involve fishing from the shore, a pier, in waders or from a boat depending on where and the style of fishing you choose to undertake. 

Fly Fishing 

Fly fishing is a very relaxed style of fishing and is surprisingly easy to learn. Falling into both the freshwater and saltwater categories, you can fly fish in lakes, rivers or the ocean, depending on the type of fish that you are trying to catch. 

Ice Fishing 

Last but not least, for those looking to try something a little different, there’s ice fishing – a unique experience that allows anglers to fish on an ocean or lake without a boat during the winter months. If you’re heading to a sub-zero destination and want to get in some fishing time too, then ice fishing could be a great experience for the whole family. 

What do you need to bring?

So you’re set on the type of fishing you want to undertake and maybe you’ve even picked out a destination too and now you’re wondering what you need to bring with you to make your vision a reality. The truth is that this question is a little difficult to answer because it depends entirely on whether you are booking a fishing excursion, where equipment may be provided, or if you are going it alone. 

Fishing excursions

Fishing excursions are like all-inclusive holiday options for those looking to sit back and relax, knowing that everything is taken care of for them. Always check with your excursion provider, but the chances are that your fishing equipment will all be provided for you, so all you need to do is pack suitable clothing and to turn up on the day. 

Going it alone

Fishing excursions can get expensive and so you may want to go it alone to have more control over where you fish and the experience you want to have. The biggest thing to remember if you are going it alone is that you may need a license to fish, never assume that fishing is legal somewhere without a permit until you have checked the local legislation. Fishing permits are usually relatively inexpensive, and by buying one you may also be contributing to conservation efforts that are trying to ensure that fishing stays sustainable for future generations to come. Other than your permit, the equipment you need will vary depending on the type of fishing you wish to undertake, and a quick google search online will usually provide you with a more in-depth checklist. If you want to go it alone without buying your own equipment then some fishing locations have equipment for hire, so check out that option too. 

Tips and tricks

Just like any activity, there are a few tips and tricks that can help to make your experience more enjoyable along the way – here are our favorites.

1. Read local fishing reports
   Take a look at the local fishing reports for the destination that you wish to visit, to see what others are catching at that time of year. This will help you to decide what equipment to bring and may also change your mind about a certain destination if the fish you want to catch aren’t biting at that time of year.
   
2. Book off-peak
   If you can, try to book off-peak, it will generally save you a lot of money and can also help to ensure that you get the prime spot at your fishing destination.
   
3. Browse in-incognito mode
   When booking all-inclusive style fishing excursions search in incognito mode. This stops the web-pages from hiking up their prices when they see that you are a return visitor and can help to ensure that you get the best fresh deal. 
   
4. Remember less is more
   A common mistake made by new anglers is to go out and buy all the gear, without any real idea of what they’ll use or need. Stick to the basics, not only will it save you wasting money but it will make your luggage lighter too, and if you do miss something fundamental, you can always purchase it at your end destination.