Every die-hard angler starts somewhere, entering a new world of unknowns.
I grew up in a fishing family. From a young age I was taking my rod and red plastic tackle box down to a pond in the valley of our family farm, and throwing Senkos to the bass laying on the muddy bottom. By the time I was 8 years old, I was a self-declared bass pro, and knew that pond like the back of my hand.
I was obsessed with fishing, and I lived for that suspended moment between the tap of a bite and the hookset—the instant your whole body locks in and time stretches. It’s the same jolt you get from scoring a goal, placing the last puzzle piece, or taking the first bite of something you baked yourself. It’s exhilarating, satisfying, and it stays with you.
I was lucky. I grew up comfortably lipping bass, avoiding spines, tying hooks, and casting. However, as I got older, I realized most girls I knew never had that start. Many of my friends who had never fished were curious about it, but were honestly a little scared to try. That’s why I wrote this: a beginner’s guide to fishing, written for girls, by a girl.
That said, having a head start does not mean I “had it figured out.” Far from it. Fishing has endless learning curves, and almost no one has them all mastered. One of my biggest came during my first real saltwater trip for snapper blues. Snapper is the name given in our region to juvenile bluefish, usually 5 to 10 inches long, found in many local coves and inlets during the summer months. On my first snapper-blue trip with my parents, I was feeling pretty confident. I’d been terrorizing the bass in my pond for years and considered myself quite the fisherwoman. I’m also deeply competitive, and when I get focused on the ‘how’, I sometimes forget to ask why. Girls, learn from me – don’t do that. It’s how I managed not to ask why we were using metal leader and a metal lure, something I didn’t find out until I hooked my first bluefish.
My rod tip jerked, the line went tight, and I was instantly thrilled. The fish was close, so I cranked it in fast. Somewhere behind me, my mom was telling me to wait so she could help, but I was already in victory mode. I unhooked my little prize, reached down to lip it just like a bass – thumb on the bottom jaw, fingers pinched – and froze. Instead of the familiar sandpaper bass mouth, this tiny blue was sporting a full set of razor teeth. I felt a sharp pinch, looked down, and realized my mistake… a second too late. That fish got the quickest release of its life.
After wrapping my bloodied finger, my pride was more wounded than my hand. The point is I didn’t have it all figured out, and neither will you. With any luck though, the following information will get you on a level where you can start your fishing adventure, and perhaps skip some of the ‘beginner bumps’ that I went through.
STAY CONSISTENT Any angler knows the feeling of hooking into a fish, the line starts running, and the battle begins. That adrenaline is what connects all of us. As a woman in a male-dominated space, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t intimidating at times. But what’s kept me grounded and confident throughout my journey is my faith and staying true to who I am. Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through consistency, showing up, and putting in the work not just on the water, but in every part of your life. Fishing became more than an escape for me it’s where I feel most aligned with my thoughts, creativity, and purpose. As a fashion designer, I’ve learned that not fitting in is actually my strength. Own who you are, stay consistent; the confidence will come.
– Samantha Rosario, New Jersey |
WE BELONG! To get into the fishing industry as a female angler, focus on building confidence through experience. Be willing to learn, and remember there’s nothing wrong with asking questions; even the best anglers are still figuring things out as they go. Don’t let the small things discourage you. I’ve been in this industry for 16 years (Sara Star Charters), and it hasn’t always been easy, but I have never backed down. There will be times you feel underestimated, which isn’t hard in an industry flooded with male anglers who don’t always take women seriously when it comes to fishing. Unfortunately it happens – it still happens to me! But as your skills improve and your confidence grows, that feeling quickly fades. You don’t need to fit any mold to earn respect out here! Be patient with yourself and don’t let being a woman hold you back, because honestly, it’s what makes us stand out. We belong wherever we want to belong to.
– Coral Aiello, Rhode Island |
Tip 1: Always Check for Teeth (and Other Sharp Things)
Not every fish can be safely “lipped” like a bass. Some have teeth, some have spines, and some have both. Before you grab a fish, take one second to actually look at its mouth and fins. If it looks like it could ruin your manicure (or your fingerprint) use pliers or a fish gripper instead. When in doubt, let a more experienced angler show you how to handle a new species the first time. Your fingers will thank you.
| START SIMPLE |
If I could offer myself one piece of advice from when I began saltwater fishing, it would be to choose one simple rod-and-reel setup and master it before pursuing additional gear or techniques. When I started fluke fishing, I read about different setups and watched instructional videos. As expected, everyone had their own approach. I assumed that if those setups worked for others, they would work for me. That was a mistake – I ended up with reels and rods in several sizes, along with a mix of rigs and jigs, without taking the time to learn any one setup well. Visit a mom and pop bait shop, they’re happy to share advice and help you get started. Begin with one rod and reel so you can learn to distinguish a bite from bottom structure. And most importantly, connect with local female anglers; we are glad to share what has worked for us! – Melissa Toro, New Jersey |
Tip 2: Create Your Community
We’ve all seen the stereotype: the grumpy old guy in a bucket hat guarding his bait bucket like a pot of gold. I promise you, you will find those people, but more often than not, the fishing community is filled with people eager to help you. People love giving tips, showing you methods, and tend to be incredibly generous. There is some science to fishing, but a lot of it is an art. You will need to spend your time experimenting with different baits, different techniques, and different spots at different times or different tides.
Overwhelming? Perhaps. But more realistically, it is an ever changing adventure that every other fisherman is participating in, and everyone wants to know the answer to the same question: what are they biting? So don’t be surprised to show up to a spot with a plan, and suddenly find yourself being given a new type of bait and told how and where to cast. The unspoken rule of the fishing community is if you show that you’re putting in the effort, you will be respected, and will find all of the help you could ever ask for.
Now, as you progress in your fishing experience you will find endless invites to secret fishing spots where you can slam them, or boat invites to go fish hard-to-reach spots. Tempting though these may be, use caution and trust your judgement. The friendliness of the fishing community is incredible, but as with every public activity, safety comes first. I wouldn’t recommend any girl to go fishing by herself, especially at dawn or dusk when fishing is best and visibility is low. If you can, find other girls to fish with.
Of course, this may be easier said than done, and it is something that I have struggled with a lot. Chances are, you likely don’t know many girls who fish or are interested in it. So here are some methods for expanding your group.
| BUILD CONFIDENCE |
Same advice I’d give a dude – we fish the same. Only difference is how we pee! Get up and go fish every spot near you. Get on party boats if you can. The mates are excellent guides. Talk to tackle shop staff. They know what people are catching and where. Know the regulations for every species you target. Pay attention to what the fishermen around you are doing—e.g., how much weight are they using? What kind of bait? Experiment with different rigs and lures. Respect our beautiful fish, even when you harvest them. Do your part to preserve the fishery for our great-grandchildren, like the generations before us. Check your line for nicks and frays every time. Check the weather, tides and conditions. The best knot is the strongest one you can tie (I like the palomar.) Most of all, have fun; you belong here. – Sara Raisner, New York |
Use social media. There are many girl’s fishing groups, as well as girls who post about their fishing adventures on social media. Let’s be real, we all know how to do a little digging on Instagram. Girl, use that skill! Slide into those DM’s, I promise you we have all done it, and any girl out there fishing would be happy to have another girl friend to go with (no matter your skill level!).
Attend fishing events. There will be many events that you can go to where you can meet experienced anglers of all ages (check the calendar of events here in The Fisherman) who would be happy to take you, or connect you with other girls who fish. Treat yourself to some Starbucks and show up ready to talk, learn, and connect.
Meet them out there! If you see other girls out there with rods, say hi. You already know you have something in common, and chances are they’ll be happy to connect.
The inevitable run in with a Game Warden is an experience that need not be stressful! For starters, tip number three is to stay legal in whatever state you’re fishing. You’ll need a license or state registration wherever you fish, and for whatever it is you’re trying to catch. One good resource for license and registration information is www.thefisherman.com/marine-regulations where you’ll find links to the various state agency websites.
While you’re on that page, familiarize yourself with common species in your area (like the difference between a striped bass and a bluefish) and learn the size and bag limits for anything you might keep. For catch-and-release it’s less crucial, but you still need to know what you’re catching so you can handle it correctly and let it go safely.
Tip Number 4: Learn the Basics the Easy Way
The internet is the best way to learn any skill (don’t quote me on that one, though). For fishing at least, I swear by it. Don’t know how to cast? Look it up. Don’t know how to tie a Palomar knot or what a leader is? You already know what I am going to say. Start broad and then narrow down; for example, “Rhode Island fishing,” “Rhode Island saltwater fishing,” “striped bass from shore,” and so on. You don’t need gear for this part just watch, read, and take mental notes. Once you feel like you understand the basics, then start thinking about practice and equipment.
| NEVER STOP |
The advice that every lady angler like yours truly should follow that I will forever follow is to “never stop”. Being driven, inspired, and strong helps you grow. Being a lady in a male dominated industry or hobby is extremely tough, proving your worth and ignoring those people trying to shoot you down will increase your growth, making you more confident and eventually a powerhouse figure in the fishing world. I have had so many people in my life tell me word-for-word “you will never be anything in the fishing world” and my simple response is “watch me” and I continue to prove those people wrong to this very day. Each day of growth and success continues to build your confidence up and if you ever feel any doubts, just repeat my mantra, “Be the change that you want to see.” Young or old, you got this! – Jenni Ackerman, New Jersey |
Tip Number 5: Finance Your Fishing Habit
If you haven’t thrifted, I recommend you try it. If you have, I am pleased to introduce you to your new favorite category, fishing gear. Facebook Marketplace is a great start, but also yard sales, or simply asking friends and family who fish. Just like clothes, many people ‘outgrow’ their gear as they find out what they like, and would be happy to see their former gear getting used and loved by another angler.
If you’re more of an intermediate angler, you’ll see an overwhelming number of brands and options. To keep it simple, decide on a clear budget, determine the specie you wish to target, and visit local tackle shops and ask for honest recommendations in your price range.
Pick things up, feel the rods, and look closely at hooks and lures. Ask questions and remember, you’re shopping; the store is your oyster! One more thing I might suggest is getting tackle recommendations from more than one shop to see what overlaps. If three different people tell you to buy the same basic setup, that’s a good sign.
Tip Number 6: Be Relentless
I truly believe that nothing worth doing is easy. Fishing requires effort, but it is fun effort, and incredibly rewarding. It is okay to be nervous, confused, and unconfident; it isn’t okay to let that stop you. If you made it this far, the hardest part (getting started) is already over.
Remember – for even the most diehard fisherman, there was a start point where they too were entering a world of unknowns.
