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