-
Saltwater vs. Freshwater Fishing: Which Is Best For You?
True fishing enthusiasts might consider the “Saltwater vs. Freshwater” argument to be moot, when the answer might be “why not both?” But for the rest of us, we’re not totally sure what kind of fishing is the best for us, our temperaments, or our families. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fishing, and how you and your family fit in to the different approaches.
Saltwater Fishing
Advantages: Saltwater fishing satisfies the adventurer’s heart, especially if you’re going deep-sea fishing. Saltwater is connected to or in the ocean, resulting in a greater variety of sea life and a larger scale of the different types of fish you might catch. In addition to catching fish, however, you might also catch sharks or rays. Saltwater fishing can also yield some more “impressive” visual fish. Freshwater lakes tend to have a lesser degree of variety and will typically only yield certain species.
Disadvantages: Travel and location. Not everyone has access to saltwater, whereas freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams are more plentiful throughout the non-coastal areas. In the Midwest and along the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri river basins there are plenty of lakes and rivers to provide plenty of convenient fishing spots. The problem? These are the freshwater spots. If you’re not on the coast, getting to saltwater might pose a problem.Freshwater Fishing
Advantage: As mentioned before, access is always a big issue. Freshwater is simply easier to get to for most people, as it’s more common to have a lake within driving distance than an ocean or gulf. Freshwater fishing goes great with certain lifestyles, especially with typically laid-back activities like camping. Freshwater fishing can also easily be an entire family trip, while deep sea saltwater fishing excursions might have to exclude a few children.
Disadvantages: Although there are plenty of fish to find in freshwater, the true variety of underwater life really doesn’t compare to the open sea. The more attractive and exotic fish are typically saltwater fish. Other species like shark can also be found in saltwater; with a few rare exceptions, this is not the case with freshwater fishing.
Determining which kind of fishing best suits you will depend on a few things: your travel plans, your location, and your temperament. Many people find freshwater fishing adventurous enough; for others, there’s no comparison. Some people want to avoid the adventure altogether. Take a moment to review the disadvantages and advantages to each, and keep a mental list about the kind of fishing that better suits your personality. What kind of fisher are you?
Photo Credit: colorblindPICASO
-
How to Enjoy Kayaking
One of the most overlooked aspects of enjoying a camping trip is fully exploring the uses and potential of nearby lakes and rivers. If you’ve ever camped on a lake before, you’ve probably felt that the only options available to you are either swimming or fishing. Nothing could be further than the truth – it sounds like you need to kayak!
Kayaking can be a great, peaceful activity that gets your blood moving without exerting you too hard. While some people fully embrace it as a way to build upper body strength and balance, you don’t have to kayak for the physical benefits. Instead, inflating a simple rubber kayak or renting a wooden/metal kayak can be a great way to spend a few hours as daylight dwindles into twilight.
How do you get started with kayaking?
The first thing you’ll need is a kayak, so make sure that you’ve done some exploring to find cheap kayaking options. Local camping sites might have kayaks to rent out, but you could always find a cheap kayak online or an inflatable one. If you purchase an inflatable kayak, make sure there are no leaks by testing it out in shallow waters first. You’ll also want to remember to buy an auto-inflater that uses batteries, as blowing up a kayak by yourself can be quite a chore.
Once you have a kayak or two secured, make sure you have an idea of where to go. On a small lake, you don’t have to worry about getting lost, but large rivers can be a different story. Make sure that you’re capable of getting back to where you started, especially in rougher waters where it can be extremely difficult to control your direction.To spice up your kayak trip, you’ll also want to take a waterproof camera, or at least a well-protected digital camera. Why is this? It won’t only help you remember the trip, but it will provide some snapshots for others to see what you were able to find on your kayak. If you have a companion kayaking with you, you’ll also be able to take some great water-level pictures with extraordinary scenery and backgrounds.
Also, be sure that you don’t overexert yourself on your first kayaking trip. It can be easy to overestimate one’s own endurance, and even though you “feel great” starting out the trip, you might tire easily if it’s your first time. Make sure you don’t stray too far from home base – after you’re confident in your abilities, you can start to venture out farther and continue exploring.
Make sure to wear a life preserver, and you’ll be all set for a safe, secure, and enjoyable kayaking trip – and you can be home just in time for a flame-grilled dinner.
Photo Credits; SergioDJT
