| Whether you plan to saltwater or freshwater | | | | |
| fish, you need to think about what your | | | | Do you like to troll? Or drift? Fish in |
| priorities and what you consider the 'perfect | | | | streams? Deep water fish? We've seen people |
| fishing trip'. Salmon fishing in Alaska or | | | | trolling in 60 feet of water thinking the |
| Bonefishing in the Florida Keys are obviously | | | | fish were only a few feet from the surface. |
| totally different in destination, type of | | | | Not much chance of catching anything this |
| tackle, weather gear...etc. | | | | way. Be sure you know the type of fishing |
| | | | your group prefers and that the lake will |
| One of the first things you must do to plan a | | | | offer it. What do you want to spend for this |
| great fishing trip is to identify your | | | | fishing trip? |
| priorities. You need to be more specific than | | | | |
| just saying you want great fishing. Great | | | | The price you're willing to pay will have a |
| fishing may mean different things to each | | | | great impact on the type of fishing trip |
| person in your fishing party. One person | | | | you'll have. |
| might be happy with catching 20 fish per day, | | | | |
| while another might be expecting 30 fish per | | | | Be realistic. How much do you really want to |
| hour. So, you need to decide this up front. | | | | spend? Are you comfortable in a tent or |
| Let's take a look at some of the most | | | | tar-paper shack on a lake with great fishing? |
| important things to consider when deciding | | | | |
| where to go on your fishing trip. | | | | Or would you prefer staying at a more upscale |
| | | | fishing lodge? |
| What type of fish do you want to catch? | | | | |
| | | | Do you want to cook for yourself... or do you |
| While this may seem obvious, it is something | | | | want the fishing camp to do the cooking? |
| that needs to be discussed. One person may | | | | |
| want to fish for walleye and northern pike, | | | | And what about shower facilities? Are you |
| while others may want to go bass fishing. | | | | willing to use a community shower or do you |
| Since many northern lakes have water too cold | | | | want a private shower and bath in your own |
| for bass, you may end up at a lake that | | | | cabin. Gentlemen, if you're taking your |
| would really disappoint the bass fisherman. | | | | spouse on this trip, make absolutely sure you |
| | | | consider this one! If you don't, it could |
| Do you want tons of action? Or trophy fish? | | | | spoil an otherwise great trip. |
| | | | |
| Some anglers simply enjoy catching lots of | | | | Other considerations are how long the trip |
| fish (most any size) with the hope of | | | | will be and the type of fish you are looking |
| getting a few big ones. Other fishermen would | | | | to catch. A trip to a fishing lodge on a lake |
| rather give up catching a large quantity of | | | | with pan fish and bass will likely be much |
| fish for a better chance at catching the | | | | cheaper that a trip to Alaska or Northern |
| biggest fish they can find. You need to | | | | Canada for arctic char. |
| decide which is more important to your | | | | |
| fishing group... lots of fish that maybe | | | | So, if you really want a great fishing trip, |
| aren't the biggest or fewer fish but a | | | | start by planning just exactly what you want |
| greater chance of a really big one. It | | | | out of the trip and how much you are willing |
| should be noted that there are many places | | | | to spend. Do it right and you can have the |
| where you can do both... catch lots of fish | | | | fishing trip of a lifetime. |
| and get some big ones. But, these tend to be | | | | |
| at the more remote and pricey lodges and are | | | | Don't just make an off-the-cuff decision, put |
| not always feasible for many fishing groups. | | | | some time and thought into what your |
| | | | 'perfect' fishing trip would be and start |
| How are you going to catch your fish? | | | | planning. |