Passing on some of the best advice

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

I actually, very much, enjoy getting mail from readers, and really do try to help, to the best of these limited abilities, whenever I’m asked for anything.

Lately, for some reason that’s totally a mystery to me, I’ll bet almost half of all the e-mails I’ve received are from truly novice fishermen or folks just considering the idea of going out to try and catch a fish for the first time.

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. The activity is highly encouraged, and I’d also suggest you take the kids along.

It’s also not brain surgery or rocket science, but I know it can be a rather daunting notion to pick up this hobby from scratch if you’ve got absolutely no background, no experience, can’t tie a decent knot, don’t know how to cast and couldn’t distinguish a bluegill from a barracuda.

Quick tip: the barracuda has the bigger teeth of the two species, and probably will remind you far more of your mother-in-law — in both attitude and appearance. Of course, a big carp or drum fish could also be a dead ringer for mom.

Still, seriously now, how in the world do you get started at this? If you read these columns regularly, you’ve probably already caught on to the notion it’s a whole lot of fun and a truly great sport.

Fishing is a wonderful pastime that anyone might want to take up, young or old.

Here’s my absolute best and finest advice for getting started. Don’t buy a rod and reel, don’t walk the aisles at Wal-Mart looking for lures, and don’t invest even in a fishing license.

Buy nothing. Just fill up a medium-size cooler with ice and maybe pack some sandwiches in there along with a couple of drinks and also grab a few gallon-size empty zippered plastic bags. Then, head over to Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County early one morning and get on board the ‘‘Lady Hooker” headboat moored at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Dock.

That place is located right along the water there on Route 261 and really would be very hard to miss.

Bring cash. The cost is $55 per fisherman, although there are sometimes discount days for senior citizens (you have to be older than the captain) and ladies’ days (for those to apply, you must be prettier than the captain).

Headboats are so called because they charge so much per head for every fishermen to come aboard. There are others available not too far away, but this one gets my unequivocal recommendation. This time of year, it usually runs every day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as long as they have at least 15 paying passengers and the weather isn’t threatening. They don’t take checks or reservations. Just show up before 8 a.m., plunk down your money, and you’re good to go.

Another tip: if you can, get on board early and find a seat somewhere near the back of the boat.

For $5 more, they’ll loan you a rod and reel to use plus you’ll get a package of bloodworms. Bloodworms are great all-around bait for a wide variety of species.

If you simply must do something extra and on your own, maybe a couple days before you go, you could also stop in a local tackle store and buy yourself a package of a product called Fishbites. That stuff is an artificial bloodworm-like bait. Whether you’re using a real bloodworm, or the fake Fishbites substitute, you only will need a little piece on your hook. Little piece is defined as maybe three-quarters of an inch long. Take along a pocket knife to cut them up.

That’s it, I promise. You’ll be good to go. And if you’re wondering — yes, bloodworms can bite you.

Pinch a little is probably a better way to describe the experience. However, you’re not going to die from it or require much more medical attention other than saying ouch and rubbing your injured digit on your pants leg for a second or two. Take your pocket knife and first cut both ends off your worms if you’re really worried that much about it.

On the way back in to shore after your trip, ask the mate (he or she is the boat captain’s helper on board) to cut up the fish you caught (they’ll be now in your cooler where the sandwiches and drinks used to be) into boneless and skinless filets.

Those empty-zippered plastic bags you brought along are for these fish filets.

Tip the mate generously for this service ... it’s well worth it.

Also, if you’re a true novice at fishing, when you do go aboard, it will only take the mate about five seconds to realize this little fact. You likely won’t even know the evaluation has happened, and you probably won’t have to say a word to get this perception across.

Just smile nicely and maybe say, ‘‘I’ll take any help you’re willing to give me,” and you’ll probably make a quick friend for the honesty plus get some real assistance throughout the day on your trip.

For example, I’ll bet when you catch that first fish, the mate will likely be at your side before you even get your little trophy out of the water, and will help you take it off the hook and throw it into the cooler. It really is going to be that easy.

Before you drop your line overboard, spend that first minute after the captain yells, ‘‘Lines in” watching everyone else. You’ll quickly see how easy it is. Imitate, exactly, what everyone else is doing.

Then, when you finally get those fresh fish filets back home, get out a couple of bowls like you’d put cereal in. Crack a few eggs into one (no shells), seasoned flour goes in another and some crushed up bread crumbs are put in the third. Dunk the filets individually in the flour (get both sides good and white), then give them an egg wash and sprinkle the bread crumbs all over them next.

Into the pan they then go (spray in some Pam first), fry them nicely, flip just once, don’t overdo the cooking, and you’ll quickly have a meal fit for a king of the creek like yourself.

You’ll also, very likely, want to go out and do this all over again real soon.

And, the big bonus, next time out you’ll be a seasoned headboat pro.

I’m serious. That’s all there is to it, and a headboat experience is absolutely and positively the very best way to sample fishing and find out how much you’re going to like it.

I’m guessing, you’re going to relish this experience a lot.

Another headboat I’d highly recommend is the ‘‘Bay Bee” over in Ocean City. If you’re there for a family holiday anytime soon, this is a great way to spend a few hours.

This particular vessel takes two trips every day (morning and afternoon) and the cost is only $28 for adults for a half day out on the water. It’s moored at the O.C. Fishing Center, and that place is located right along the ocean at the southern end of Maryland’s vacation capital.

Trust me. Taking a headboat the first time fishing is good and sound advice. Next Wednesday, I’ll pass along some other pointers and tips if you want to take this up a notch as Emeril would say to the next level.

Good luck.

If you do try it, don’t forget to e-mail me afterward and let me know how it went. I really would love to read your story about it. If I get any real good ones, I might even pass them along to everyone. Of course, I’ll be sure to get your permission to do that first.