Reel Anglers Fishing Club
What makes a good angler?
I’ve been fishing for several decades. I have fished from Alaska to Costa Rica, I consider myself a good fisherman. As President of the Reel Anglers Fishing Club, I am probably in the middle of the pack regarding my fishing capabilities.
I believe there are two different groups of fishermen. There are those that know what works for them and they stick to their places and methods. The other group is always trying something new and goes from place to place. In my opinion both can be very successful. I find myself in the later group. Tackle shops love me! On the other hand, some of the most productive anglers can fit their tackle into a single small tackle box.
After being a club member for several years, I found out that even the anglers that I thought were set in their ways have a secret. Many of them hire guides or share their boat with many other anglers. One of the benefits of being a club member is being able to network with like-minded anglers. Several times a year we have some of the best guides in the area as speakers.
Even if the speakers don’t fish the way they do or fish where they fish, they usually learn something they can apply to their specific style of fishing.
The interesting thing about both members and speakers is that age does not make a difference! Some of our best speakers were still in school or way past retirement age! That is one of the great things about fishing, age does not define your ability to catch fish. Just know that when you are having a hard time catching fish there is another angler out there bending their rods. Seek them out, learn from them.
Many new members join the Reel Anglers Fishing Club because they have moved here from out of state and just can’t figure out how to catch our local fish. I tell them not to be shy! It is their responsibility to network with more experienced club members. Some of our member fish offshore, some prefer fishing with artificials, other are strictly bait fishermen.
The one thing they all have in common is a willingness to share their knowledge and often a day on the water. Our speakers are often guides that want your business and might just provide you with a fishing trip of a lifetime. If you want a shortcut to fishing success hire a guide! If you want to share a trip, ask a fellow club member.
The answer is usually yes; they may even suggest a guide that they have used successfully. At our last club meeting we had a new member attending our meeting for the first time. At the end of the meeting, he had already arranged to go out with one of the club’s best fishermen! So, what makes a good angler? In my mind it is someone who pursues knowledge and is willing to learn.
If you want to be a better angler, please join us the second Wednesday of every month at the Cape Coral Power Squadron building. We start at 6 PM. I hope to see you there.
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Dan Carney
President
Reel Anglers Fishing Club
www.reelanglersfishingclub.com
