Before you are able to set out for the first sport fishing excursion of the season, you'll need to make sure you have the best equipment. You won't catch many fish if you go fishing without taking your fishing rod and reel, but there are other less obvious supplies you will need in addition.

For starters, check to see if your fishing license is up to date. Also ensure you have any supplemental permits you might want for the species of fish you are going to be trying to catch. For instance, in some locations, you might have to have separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater fish. In other places, you may be required to have a "trout stamp" or some other species-specific fishing permit.

Next, bring a copy of the sportfishing regulations for the location you will be fishing. This will permit you to find the requirements for a certain sort of fish if you happen to catch a type of fish that you weren't planning on. It's a fantastic idea to maintain a copy of the sportfishing laws stashed inside your tackle box inside of a plastic Ziploc bag. That way, it won't get destroyed the first time you get a little bit of water inside your boat.

Now for the fun stuff. You will need a minimum of one fishing pole and reel. The kind you select ought to be suitable for the types of fish you'll be attempting to catch. If you are out fishing for perch or crappie, it is possible to manage with a lighter rod and line than if you're fishing for bass or trout.

If this isn't your first time going fishing, you most likely already have a rod and reel, but you'll probably need to buy some bait as well as some fishing lures. No matter how many lures you owned at the start of the last season, there's a fantastic possibility that you have lost your favorite ones, so a visit to the sporting goods section of your favorite discount superstore is likely to be needed. It is best to shop for fishing lures in an array of colors and styles so it will be possible to try different lures if the fish are not biting, but if you've got some tried and true favorites, be sure to stock up on those first.

Next comes live bait. Minnows, crickets, and worms are usually excellent options. You might want to wait until close to the time of your fishing excursion to get your live bait so that you don't have to be concerned about trying to keep them alive until then. You may also want to give some thought to getting real minnows that are preserved in packages. These baits are sold in the same aisle where you get lures.

What else could you need? Snacks! Ensure that you have a cooler so that you'll be able to keep your food and drinks cool while you're fishing. If you're likely to be parking your car quite far away from the place you'll be fishing, you may want to get a Reels on Wheels fishing cart in order to make it easy to get your fishing gear where you'll need it.