No better time to plan first fishing outing

time to talk to your kids about fishing, too. If they have shown interest, so much the better. But if they are content to sit in front of their computer or TV rather than get outdoors in good weather, perhaps the idea of a fishing trip with Dad, Mom or everyone in the family is something to begin planning now.

Planning will make your day more enjoyable. If you talk it over and decide where you want to fish, chances are you will have more fun. Why not let the kids choose the place?

A good weekend to plan for is Ohio’s free fishing days, which are May 6 and 7. Everyone in the family can fish without a license those days.

If you have a boat, the planning is pretty much a given. If you don’t, you have a couple of options: renting a boat or fishing from shore. Many of the state’s lakes have boat rentals and all have good spots for bank fishing.

Another choice is charter or head boat fishing. Charter boats, often called “six-packs” because they can take up to six customers per trip, and head boats (they can take many passengers — all of whom have heads) operate on Lake Erie.

I have to confess, Lake Erie fishing is my kind of fishing. Oh, I love to fish on any lake — don’t get me wrong — but Lake Erie is the place I like best.

Why? Because it’s big water. I suppose it’s because I grew up fishing on Long Island Sound, also big water.

Ocean fishing is not all that different from Lake Erie fishing. Sure, each has its own species of fish. No walleyes in the Atlantic, no bluefish in Erie. But the techniques aren’t all that different. There’s obviously more depth in the ocean, but a lot of the fishing I did at a young age was for panfish like porgies, flounder and blackfish. Occasionally my dad would take us out to troll for blues or tuna, but most of my fishing as a kid took place fairly close to land.

When I got to Ohio, I didn’t know much about freshwater fishing. Things like what size hook to use for bass or bluegills were all foreign to me.

Now I realize not many folks around these parts will be trolling for blues, but they will be trolling or casting for walleyes. So if you are interested in finding a charter, I suggest you check the internet and consider booking a trip fairly soon. Erie charters can fill up, especially on weekends. I have always preferred freeing up time during the week.

All types of fishing are better on days where there is minimal traffic — on roads and waterways.

Wherever you fish, whatever you fish from and whomever you go with, fishing trips are fun. And if you start planning now, that is a fun part, too.