I have a date in 2 weeks and she wants to go fishing. I haven't gone fishing since I was a kid. What do I need to learn between now and then to seem like I know what I'm doing?
Edit: I appreciate all the tips so far! want to clarify she knows it's been a while I just want to avoid any super newbie mistakes if I can
At least 30,000 leagues under.
Saw a post recently talking about how that title is always misinterpreted. They traveled thirty thousand leagues, laterally, while under the sea. It’s not thirty thousand leagues down from the surface of the ocean, which is apparently way deeper than any ocean on earth. I wouldn’t know as I’ve never read that shit but it’s been said.
I believe it's 20000 leagues under the sea. Movie adaptation for 30000. I've read the book, haven't seen the movie. Don't really recommend Jules Verne as a writer, his books often have a very sullen tone
Don’t try and be a know it all maybe she knows a lot and can teach you..don’t always gotta be a macho man to impress women ..tight lines
I just want to know how to not break something and any ultra noob basics I can avoid. She knows I haven't done this a lot
Listen, respond, and execute. She will be butter if you let her take control of the fishing.
this man gave great advice. follow it
Yep. If she knows more than you about fishing, which is possible and even likely, you should let her lead. If it’s interesting, show interest and learn. Probably lot of stories to talk about, you won’t run out of chit chat for sure.
Edit: definitely do ask to show her your “rod”. And smell your fingers and make a lewd comment about crotch smells after you use a scented bait
Edit2: or don’t, your call
Dude, I love you. Your comment gives me so much joy because it is truly and wholly a reddit comment:
Posted to the wrong comment on a fishing subreddit giving dating advice on showing your rod by a user named shart_leakage
Lolololololol. Fucking excellent.
Sometimes, there’s a dude.
Why do you think she suggest going "fishing" on a first date?
She is preemptively setting up a post fishing Bang session.
Are we still talking about fishing?
Watch a bunch of you tube videos for fishing for beginners. No shame but it'll help avoid rookie mistakes
Learn the modified clinch knot. That's what rev's a ladies motor. Trust me, I know women.
Even if she doesn’t know shit, she will remember whatever some make role model taught her as a child and if you tell her they were wrong, that’ll be it for you
So just know your line and if she ASKS you can help her, but don’t tell her she’s doing something wrong, ime she won’t appreciate it lol
Doesn’t matter how nice you say it or how kind you are or how right you are, just let do it wrong, it’ll make her happy lol
Be honest about not knowing what you are doing. Just showing interest in the others hobby should be enough. But if you've already lied and said you're a Bass Master then I can't help you, lol.
Bring something delicious to eat/drink
Good point! Don't forget about the "date" part of the fishing date
If she likes flowers maybe buy a lure the same color of a one and you can stick it in a bouquet for her (or make an elaborate lure bouquet)
One lure in with flowers yes, cute idea.
But a bouquet of quality lures would be spendy (10 to 12 lures at $7-$12 ea) and he wouldn't know which lures would be good because he doesn't fish.
I'm a fisherman, this is the best advice here. You're not going to figure out fishing by people just telling you, just go and have fun. Bring a couple of good chairs, I'm sure it will be more of that type of fishing. Not sure where or when you're going but it's going to be hot tomorrow. Like everywhere if you live in the Continental US. Bring sunscreen lol
Dude just tell her you haven't fished since you were a kid and you're excited to learn from her.
Get a spinning rod and reel practice walking around with it and casting so you dont clock her.
Practice the uni knot so you can change out what you are fishing with.
Learn how to Texas rig/weedless soft plastics.
you dont want to deal with a treble hook if you are nervous
Soft plastics dont smell nearly as bad as some bait.
Texas or weedless rigging is going to be alot less frustrating than clearing weeds from your hook.
Have stuff to clean your hands and some snips to cut your line.
Also, don't forget to spit on/lick your line when tying knots to reduce friction that can cause breakage.
Ah, the art of seduction.
Hawk tua?
That will certainly impress her 😓
And a loop knot maybe for those lures
That's a good one if he picks up the uni knot easily and has more time but I was thinking more along the lines of not hurting himself or her. If he can get a uni knot down he can change out without dropping hooks at their feet and such. Might not be optimal for catching fish but the goal I'm guessing to quote Sebastian is to "kiss the girl".
Good thinking and “shalalalala”
Who said he’s using artificials or bass fishing at all?
Absolutely, no one. I'm not suggesting he set up for targetting a species, I suggested things to help with a date. At no point did I suggest anything for the purposes of actually catching a fish. The point was to practice things like not hitting her with the rod, dropping hooks while tying knots and how to rig something that wont have him frustrated (picking weeds all day) or smelly because the point as I saw it was the date not trying to get a particular fish or any fish at all.
Fair I guess however I would suggest live bait on a bobber for his first time fishing for ease, less snags and more catches—> better time for everyone
Live bait is a good idea if they are both doing it. I was more thinking of things he can practice before hand. Unless he wants to commit mass wormacide live bait doesn't afford him time to get comfortable.
Don’t act like you know anything. Just have fun and let her show you.
This is the best part. Have her teach you everything. Good way to bond. Don’t listen to anyone here and just enjoy the date!!! Tight lines!
well, ive seen a few pieces of good advice. like getting a VERY basic set up and learning how to walk and cast with it in such a way as to NOT hit the girl. hitting on her is ok, HITTING HER, is not.
For real! Every human I've met loves teaching new skills that they're passionateabout to people they like. Being a good student is its own skill
A lot of these guys are right. Most women are sick of men talking over them, belittling them, and trying to be some kind of boss all if the time. I would go in blind and show her that you aren't that man. She will probably be pleasantly surprised, and honestly, humility is an honorable trait indeed.
Control what you can control. Have one hell of a top level picnic basket packed. And pick a location that is nice fish or no fish.
One time in high school a particularly beautiful girl, waaaay out of my league, asked me to take her fishing. I rounded up a decent size group of friends and we all went fishing. It turned out she just wanted to go skinny dipping with me and was a little sad I invited others to go. Keep that in mind.
Lie on your backs and count the stars where the cool grass grows
Just don’t hook her or yourself and it will be a win…even if nobody knows how to fish.
Watch a couple beginner videos on YouTube; get some affordable gear (but not the absolute cheapest, go up one step, some are terrible).
If you want to avoid getting skunked at all costs, nightcrawler piece on a small hook under a bobber is a fail safe
Otherwise, weightless Senko Texas rigged. This is assuming fresh water fishing where bass are present
Doesn’t matter if your a “Noob” ask for help. Push that pride aside and let her take you for a ride.
You've already failed bro...
Cancel the date now, she just wants your fishing spots!!
I definitely would not wait until the day of to pick up a rod for the first time. She might have fun teaching you or showing you a few things, and I think that would make for a great date, but if I were in your shoes I would feel a lot better about the situation if I wasn't completely inept at it. Go get yourself a cheap setup and at least practice using a rod/baiting a hook if you can't get out of the water.
You don't need to (and I would recommend that you shouldn't) come off like you fish all the time, and no one is going to confuse you for Bill Dance even if you fished every hour from now till then, but the least you can do is not hurt yourself out there.
Admit you have no idea. Let her show you. You be attentive, follow her advice and don’t try and mansplain anything to her.
Enjoy the date, date 2 teach her something.
Learn to tie a hook and don’t be afraid to touch the fish/bait lol
Maybe a fish farm where they supply bait, tackle and the fish.
Why not just be honest?
On the first date you might want to keep your hands away from her bobbers.
If you have the lake name ( or color), location and rough time frame you’ll be there, we can collectively give you a detailed analysis of what to throw and gear recommendations based on weather and the area.
Don’t kick off the date with bullshit. Tell her you haven’t been fishing in a while and if she has more experience she might have to keep you right. Don’t assume you need to be better. Unless you’ve already talked a good game.
Just stay away from Any bait that stinks and listen to what she tells ya!
I think you are on the right track. Ask her to let you know if you are doing something stupid. Keep the mood light, sounds like fun.
As someone who has to teach people the basics all the time, the best two things you can learn to make yourself not look like a fool are how to tie your own knots and how to perform a basic cast. As a bonus, how to bait a hook properly.
I suggest learning either the Improved Clinch Knot, the Palomar Knot, the Uni Knot, or the Fish N Fool Knot. There are many others, but those are all very strong and easy to do. There are plenty of tutorials online. Just do whatever one seems easiest for you for now. If you want to tie your own hooks, then you can also learn the snell knot.
As for casting, watch a tutorial on YouTube on how to cast a spinning rod, get a rod and a practice weight, go someplace where it's safe to cast (open water or a field), and just start practicing until you can get that weight mostly on target. It's not hard with a spinning rod. It won't take long.
Truth be told, though, the slickest thing you can do is bring something for a backup in case the fish aren't biting. That way, you can save the day in a worst-case scenario! And bring some nice drinks and snacks either way. Biting or not, that's never a bad idea. Let her focus on the fish. You cover the other details so she can focus better.
Also, do you know what you will be fishing for? And does she regularly fish, or is she rusty like you and just thought this would be fun?
Sunscreen
Honestly just make sure you can take care of your own knots and snags. There’s nothing worse than taking a new person fishing and having to spend the entire time helping them with piddly little things like that
Wash your hands after handling PowerBait for Trout. Don't want any confusion.
If theres anything i know about being a man, its to be aware and comfortable when you dont know something. Theres always someone that knows more, always someone better, and always someone willing to teach you how to do stuff. Watch some youtube videos, try to learn some basics, and tell her that. If she thinks youre a wimp for not knowin, might be better off with someone else. If she thinks its sweet that you made an effort, then there ya go!
I'd hire a diver to hook a store bought 200 pound tuna on my line, but that's just me.
This guy knows what up.
Don't get a frozen fish like Dale Gribble though when Hank Hill went fishing with the judge to prove that his cocaine was catching fish left and right.
Ask her to handle your rod like a pro. This will score big points.
More importantly, how do you 'reel' her in?
Be completely honest and upfront about how little you know about fishing. If you try to act like you know what you're doing it's only going to be obvious that you don't and that you're being fake
I mean, you can watch videos online but I honestly wouldn't worry about looking like a newbie. She wants you on the water with her to do something she loves. Just you wanting to share it with her is enough on its own. If anything, let her teach you what you don't know. It'll probably make the date fun and give you a chance to connect on that. If she likes you enough to join her then I wouldn't stress it much. But that's just my take!
Practice casting aim at things around you outside at home . Do Not Hook Her! Do everything especially landing a fish slowly and calmly. Hook yourself. Do Not Hook Her!
I squealed at this my bf is obsessed with fishing and I hadn’t fished since I was a kid and now I’m hooked puns intended!
Have her teach you, im sure she’d get a kick out of it and love it. Bring some yummy snacks and drinks. Does she fish often?
Learn how to tie a Uni knot. Lots Of YouTube’s. Ask her what type of fishing she wants to do and post back here and we can give you more pointers. Will you be using live bait like minnows or artificials?
Bug spray, sun tan lotion, water. 3 essentials imo. Without any of those, you might be a pretty needy date.
Don't set a hook in her by mistake. I feel like that might kill the mood.
My wife and I of 18 years married, 24 years together, went on our only fishing date early on. It was a stretch for her. She caught a few, I baited, casted, pulled them off, rinse and repeat. She talks shit to this day….
Fess up you know nothing but are looking forward to learning fishing from her. Very sexy
I’d just be honest about not knowing much. Use simple lures or bait and have a good time.
Refer to any large fish you catch as a "hog" or "lunker".
Bro you're going about this all wrong. Have her help you out and teach you. If it goes well this could be a really special moment. Don't mess with it trying to learn a bunch from the Internet.
Alright, I know this is a fishing sub, but I highly doubt she wants to go fishing so you can show her your skills. She is already on the hook, all you gotta do is reel her in. If you like her, then who cares about the fish in the water, focus on the fish right next to you. You'll surely fare better focusing on her than your fishing skills or lack of them.
Just a worm and a bobber man, look up where there are bluegill and have fun.
Pay attention to what she has to say. Don’t try to act like you know anything because a Reddit stranger told you something.
You have an opportunity to show that you respect her knowledge, are a good listener, care about what she has to say, and aren’t afraid to look silly/stupid.
Some Spider-Man combos, little bobbers and some red 🪱. Or maybe a Barbie rod for her.
Don’t expect to catch anything but her, go somewhere nice, bring snacks she likes and drinks, don’t force them, some where scenic with the possibility of catching fish, bring worms, shiners if possible, size 4 and 8 hooks, bass or bluegill is catching a fish, and a soapy wet rag in a zip lock bag to clean you hands, make fun of yourself and encourage the woman, have fun and enjoy
You don't need to learn anything. Be humble and ask her for help, it's likely she'd be happy to get you into ""her"" hobby. And it would also give you something to talk about.
Maybe ask her to stand behind you with her arms around you holding your hands and showing you the motions for casting 😉
Better learn how to tie knots
She can teach you a thing or 2
Addicted fishing has a ton of beginner videos that should at least get you pointed in the right direction, also if you’re stumped maybe ask her for some pointers it might be a great move on your part.
Not helpful at all but if a girl wanted to go on a fishing date with me I’m dropping to a knee instantly!
Depends on if it's rod & reel or if you two are noodling.
As someone who has to relearn to fish so I didn't embarass my little brother and regularly gets beat by my girl that hates fishing more than me. Just make sure you know how to tie a line tight and make sure you know how to fix any funky line tangles at least a little. Admit when you are ignorant and just have fun with it. Play into the fact you are out of practice after so many years and that maybe you two could do it again sometime so she can give you some more pointers. Don't let your head spin you like a tea cup ride at Disney, take a breath and just try to understand the fundamentals enough to not need her continuous help. Good luck buddy!
Two weeks? Why two weeks. Geeze
It’s not about the fishing, it’s about the date. Be smart and research the fish you’re wanting to catch. Google, YouTube and forums are your friend. At least show up with some lures or bait or whatever might work. Don’t pretend, and just get to know her at her pace. I wouldn’t tell her “I haven’t fished since I was a kid”, or “I have no idea what I’m doing”, because that’s not confident. If it comes up in conversation you could tell her that in context. Just be chill.
Cancel the date. She's out of your league.