How It All Began

So, when I was a kid, my parents took me fishing. They were never avid fisherman, from what I recall, but they enjoyed it. I remember that my Dad bought me an old Zebco combo for kids. I don’t think there were characters on them yet. It was just a little spincast rod and reel. I went fishing a few times in my life. I always enjoyed it enough when I went, but it was never anything that really caught my attention.

I'm 39 now, and the father of two daughters (basically, 5 and 2). Recently, we went to Rockport Texas on vacation with some of my wife's siblings, and their families. My Brother-In-Law, Mike, had a few nice rod and reels , and he let me use one. We went fishing off the pier, and sure enough.... we didn’t catch anything. The fish just were not biting. But something happened. Something I can’t explain, especially considering the failure to actually catch any fish: I left thinking, "I can’t wait until I go fishing again."

Recently I took my 4 year old daughter to Walmart to get a little combo for herself. She picked "Disney Princess". While I was there, I couldn’t resist the absolutely overwhelming urge to get a R/R for myself. I knew, from Mike, that Shakespeare's Ugly Stick was about the best for panfish, in terms of durability and quality. But I couldn’t really afford to drop $30 on a rod. I did, however see a nice looking Shakespeare Durango for under $10. So I got it. For a reel, I ended up going to Academy and getting a South Bend 4 bearing Pisces spinner.

My wife's setup (my setup prior to the Walmart trip) is an Eagle Claw Mach 3 spinner combo. About 13 years old, purchased for me by my Father-In-Law, who decided to go fishing while visiting us one year. It's not a work of art, but it works well. After the expense of this trip is behind us, I'll probably drop a few more dollars to get her a nicer rig. I am actually thinking about getting her a Durango rod also, and mounting my unused Zebco 202 reel to it for her. Then the Eagle Claw can be an extra. Oh, I also have a telescoping spinner combo made by Coleman that I wouldn’t trust against a big or aggressive fish. But it's convenient, and I keep it in my truck, along with a mini box of tackle, in case a fishing opportunity presents itself.

This weekend, I am taking the family to Louisiana to visit my parents, and go to a fishing resrot on a man made lake. My daughter is excited. I'm excited. I cant wait. I seriously envision myself going fishing almost every weekend. I have no idea where this passion came from. Out Of The Blue, I tell you. But even though I have very little experience as of yet, if you were to ask me what my hobby was, I'd tell you that I am a fisherman. Let the games begin.