Fishing As A Passion and Profession

By Captain Phillip Loughlin 

My Advice To Aspiring Anglers

If you are looking for a new hobby, you should consider fishing. It is a well-liked outdoor leisure activity. Fishing is a fascinating profession. Aside from improving your physical and mental health, fishing can also help you learn various life skills. While it is true that fishing is a low-intensity physical activity, as most people believe it to be, research indicates that even brief periods of less-intense movement are healthy. By repeatedly casting a line or wading into the water, anglers can make fishing a more physically demanding activity. In addition, traveling to different fishing spots involves walking, hiking, or paddling. If you've never gone fishing before, know that it's typically not too difficult to find a friend or relative who would be happy to teach you the sport. Fishing is more than just a profession for others; it is also a passion. 

I would love to tell aspiring anglers that the best way to learn to fish is to get out with a professional charter captain like me. There’s a lot to be said about learning from a professional if you have the opportunity, but the truth is that fishing isn’t rocket science. Even those who have been fishing for a lifetime are always learning more. The best way to learn to fish is to get out there and have a go. You will learn a lot from your mistakes and also from your successes. The best angler avoids repeating their mistakes; instead, they aim to make new and interesting ones and take note of what they can learn from them. These days, the internet has a pile of fishing resources you can read or watch, and there are forum sites and social media platforms where you can ask questions to other professional anglers and guides. But really, the most important thing to know about fishing is that it’s supposed to be fun. The reality is you won’t always catch fish. I will frankly admit that there are moments when I come home empty-handed and have no catch for the whole period. 

I bet most other charter captains can say the same thing. But keep that prime goal in mind, to always have fun. Enjoy yourself. It should only feel like work for the professionals and commercial fishers. For anglers considering a charter or guided trip, my most important piece of advice is to talk to your captain ahead of the fishing trip. Let the captain know your experience level and what kind of trip you would like to have. You are always welcome to ask your questions and queries. Please don’t be shy about it. As a captain, the more I know about you, your crew, and your goals or expectations, the better I’ll be to lead the trip or help you understand what might be realistic and what might not. Most captains I know will be honest about what they are hooking and what they are not. Fishing guides will also help you shape your expectations based on their experience and local knowledge. You can also join different fishing tournaments to help enhance your skills more. 

Fishing can also be a good source of income. About 12 million people worldwide depend on fishing for their income and way of life. You can fish as a hobby, and you can also do it for commercial purposes. Many opportunities are waiting for an aspiring angler in the fishing industry. It is vital to remember that professional fishing is something entirely different. In actuality, it is one of the most demanding professions in the world, but you can always do it with fun and full of passion. Some people will never comprehend that for us anglers, fishing is more than a hobby or a sport; it's a way of life.

Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures is happy to help aspiring anglers with their fishing journey. As your captain and fishing guide, I will be delighted to share my knowledge and fishing skills. I will be glad to teach new anglers how to fish while in a kayak, drift fishing, fly fishing, and even try deep sea fishing. Depending on the fish species we target, we can also go trolling, bottom fishing, jigging, light tackle, and heavy tackle fishing. Our fishing charter will take you to the waters off Hampstead in North Carolina, where you can experience premier sport fishing. No need to worry because all fishing equipment will be ready when you board the boat. Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures will provide you with rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and lures we need during the fishing trip. The fishing charter also offers fishing trips in the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic Ocean. We will run well over 50 miles to get to the edge of The Stream, so these are highly dependent on a window of good weather. The fish targeted on this fishing charter differ by season, and charter clients can pick a trip that fits their fishing type and technique. If they are up for some shallow-water action, species such as Spanish mackerel, bluefish, redfish, black drum, summer flounder, sea trout, and other fish species are available to hook. Anglers who prefer fishing farther can go after king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, cobia, amberjack, mahi-mahi, or even sailfish if they come across one. Our Facebook page is also filled with information about our fishing trips, as well as our rates. 

I honestly haven’t had a lot of experience with Guidesly so far. The people I have worked with Guidesly have been friendly and generally professional, but I have yet to book a trip or experience the system. But interested anglers can book their next adventure with Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures via Guidesly or our website. 

If you're interested in learning more about our charter, Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures, and the fishing excursions we provide, visit our website. You can read more about our fishing voyages and sea adventures on our Facebook page. Interested customers who want to experience unforgettable fishing adventures can reserve a trip with Katfish Kayak and Fishing Adventures.