One of the challenges fishing guides are faced with is the variation in degrees of angling ability we work with. It ranges from people who have never held a fishing rod before to experts in the game and everything in between. One thing I’ve personally noticed is that when it comes to teaching newbies certain techniques, women consistently seem to pick things up more quickly than men do. Men tend to default to their physical strength, rather than taking suggestions to improve their technique.
My wife, Tracey, is one of the most naturally talented anglers fishing our local waters today. Over the past 25, years she has racked up an impressive list of angling accomplishments, from ultra-light-tackle snook and permit records to billfish and tuna catches offshore. She cheerfully goes cast for cast with the most die-hard marathon anglers without ever running out of steam. I asked her to offer some angling tips from a woman’s perspective, and she kindly obliged. Pay attention—she knows what she’s talking about!
What obstacles did you face when you first started out, and how did you overcome them?
One issue I think many people have is being too sensitive about criticism—especially a woman taking instructions from a man. I always try to remember that instruction isn’t a personal attack on me or my ability. Just be patient and listen to advice from other anglers with an open mind. When you get to fish with a really good angler, pay attention to their technique and ask questions. Even somebody with less experience than you can teach you something.
What’s one tip that really helped you in the beginning?
Practice handling the tackle a lot. My earliest experiences involved a lot of casting and retrieving with bucktail jigs on light spinning gear. Repetitive casting allows you to become more familiar with how the equipment works. Eventually, the rod and reel become an extension of your hands and it feels more natural. Once you understand what the bend of the rod and the resistance of the drag can do on the other end of the line, you’ll know when to lean on a fish and when to save your strength and rest.
How do you catch such big fish on light tackle?
Let the tackle do its job. Modern tackle is designed to place the burden on the fish more than the angler. Lighter outfits are easy to hold onto for a longer period of time, and good drag systems are meant to wear the fish down without wearing the angler down. If you’re experiencing fatigue from merely holding onto the gear, you might want to size down your outfit.
Any parting advice for women who are new to the sport?
Fishing should be relaxing, not stressful. If you set out to just enjoy a fun day outdoors and respect the process regardless of the outcome, you’ll rarely be disappointed. With social media and all the pressure to be relevant these days, it’s too easy to spoil the experience when things don’t go your way. Just go with the flow and respect the fish. The good memories will follow you regardless of who knows what you caught. Have fun!
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