Get Your Mind Off It – Fish

Throwing yourself into a new hobby is a great way to make changing habits easier. In this edition of “Get Your Mind Off It…” I’ll explore the reasons why a new non-smoker may want to try the sport and what gear to get and where to get it. Tomorrow I’ll talk about the basics of getting started and safety while fishing.

Since nature sounds have been proven to reduce stress, something that the quitter normally has in abundance, fishing is a great choice for a new activity. Getting yourself outside in the fresh air and sunshine also can have other health benefits. Moderate sun exposure is one of the best ways to raise your vitamin D levels. Also, outdoor air quality is almost always better than indoor, giving your healing lungs more oxygen to supply your starved organs.

Getting started is easy. Here is what you’ll need:
• License - In most states in the US you’ll need a license to fish, but don’t let that stop you. In most cases the license is fairly inexpensive and you can get one at nearly every place that sells outdoor equipment, including Wal-mart and other discount retailers.
• Pole – Fishing pole prices range from about $20 dollars to hundreds of dollars. Amazon sells a pole kit with a reel for $40.
• Reel – Reels have all sorts of different configurations and can cost anywhere from $10 to about $100. Some reels come pre-wound with line.
• Line – These come in a variety of test ratings and are categorized by how much weight they will hold. You can get enough line to get started for only a couple of bucks.
• Tackle – This includes bobbers, lures, sinkers, worms, spinners and hooks. Expect to pay about $10 for an assortment of items to get started.

Tomorrow we’ll explore how easy it is to set up your rod and give some simple safety tips to help you fish safely.