Fishing Merit Badge What is a ?

• You need to know about fish to catch fish • https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/fish/what-is- fish/ What is a fish?

• https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/fish/inside- fish/ Requirement #1a

• Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Requirement #1b

• Discuss the prevention of and treatment for the following health concerns that could occur while fishing, including cuts and scratches, puncture wounds, insect bites, hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburn. Heat Related Injuries

• Dehydration symptoms: Thirsty, dark urine, tired, weak, increased sweating, nausea, headache, confusion – Treat by drinking more fluids, rest, get out of sun into AC • Heat Exhaustion symptoms: Same as above but more extreme with cool, pale, moist skin, rapid pulse, severe weakness – Treat by having victim lie with feet up in cool place, apply wet cloths, drink water • Heat Stroke symptoms: Same as above but temp above 105F, confusion, vomiting, siezures, unconscious – Call 911. Treat by moving to AC, loosen clothing and place ice packs in a shirt and under the arms, immerse in cool water, if awake give water. Requirement #1c

• Explain how to remove a hook that has lodged in your arm. Requirement #1d

• Name and explain five safety practices you should always follow while fishing. Requirement #2 & 3

• Discuss the differences between two types of fishing outfits. Point out and identify the parts of several types of rods and reels. Explain how and when each would be used. Review with your counselor how to care for this equipment. • Demonstrate the proper use of two different types of fishing equipment. Types of Fishing Rods

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC4k8b4m0VE Balance with Fishing Rods

• Balance is important. You need to select the rod, reel, and line combination which will match the type of fish you are planning to catch. • A lightweight rod, reel and line is best for smaller fish and might work best in a stream. You get more fight. • A heavier rod, reel and line is best for larger fish. Less fight but more likely to catch. Closed Face Spin- Reel

• Most common types of reels for young anglers. • Most have adjustable drags Bait-Casting Reel

• More difficult to use but gives good control and excellent for heavy bait Open Face Spinning Reel

• Very popular style reel which is mounted below the rod. • Line is controlled by index finger – stops when line is reeled in • Be careful with the reverse setting

Fly

• Need a long flexible fly rod to cast the plastic coated line. • The weight of the line carries the fly out. How to Care for your Rod

• Store all rods straight, in a dry, clean area, so they will not take a bend or set. • Wash rods after each use, especially if they have been in dirty or salt water. • Use a brush or cloth to wash carefully and thoroughly around the guides and reel seats. • Do not use a rod for heavier or lighter lures or weights than recommended. How to Care for your Reel

• Reels need special care because they have so many working parts that can rust or corrode. • Always use line within the pound-test range and type recommended for the reel. • Wash each reel after use (especially in dirty or salt water) • Periodically oil and grease each reel. The parts that need oil are the handle, rotor, and line roller in spinning reels; and the level. wind track and axle in casting reels. Add grease to the internal gearing casting reels. Fly reels require little greasing-only on the gears, on the pawls, and around the handle. How to Care for your Reel

Too Much Grease!

Periodically Grease Gears

Oil it up! Maintaining Hooks and Lures

• Don’t overlook lures and hooks, which also need regular attention • Check lures at all times for hook sharpness. Dull hooks are a prime cause of missed strikes. • Remove and replace any broken, damaged, or rusted hooks. • To keep spoons and spinners shiny, polish them with a metal polish and then coat with a clear protective finish. • Metal lures such as spinners, spoons, and jigs can be repainted during the off season. • Store soft-plastic lures in separate bags sorted by color and type; otherwise, the various colors will tend to bleed. Characteristics

• Memory: When you pull line off your spool, does it hang straight or curl up? Memory can cause problems • Stretch: Stretchy line keeps tension better as you fight a fish. However, stretch can make setting the hook tougher. • Shock Strength: Another advantage of having some stretch is that your line is less likely to snap under sudden pressure. • Abrasion Resistance: All modern line is pretty abrasion resistant but high end line is better. • Buoyancy: Some line floats in the water, some sinks. • Visibility: If a fish sees your line, it can get spooked. Types of Line

• Monofilament is a single piece of plastic, usually nylon, that’s stretched out and set into a thin tube. Copolymer fishing line is essentially an improved version of monofilament. – Pro: Cheap and easy to use. Relatively low memory. It’s recyclable. A lot of stretch. Very buoyant. – Con: Doesn’t last very long and is much weaker than other lines of a similar diameter. Types of Line

• Fluorocarbon line is made in the same way as mono, but from much denser material. – Pro: Invisible underwater. Super abrasion resistant and lasts much longer than other lines. It can stretch, but only under a lot of pressure. – Con: Knots tend to fail if they’re not tied right and the line’s high memory can make it tangle and kink at the drop of a worm. On top of that, it’s expensive. Types of Line

• is made by weaving together several strands of polyethylenes. This produces a super-thin line that could stop a Swordfish in its tracks. – Pros: Built to last and is the strongest line pound for pound by miles. Braid has no memory, letting it flow freely without kinking. It also has no stretch. This gives you complete precision with the trade-off of lower shock strength. – Cons: Braid stands out like a sore thumb underwater, is hard to tie knots with, and can get cut off by toothy fish. It’s so tough and thin that it can bury itself in the spool and damage cheaper equipment. Very expensive line. Requirement #4

• Demonstrate how to tie the following knots: improved clinch knot, Palomar knot, uni knot, uni to uni knot, and arbor knot. Explain how and when each knot is used. Animated Knots

• Improved Clinch Knot • Uni Knot • Palomar Knot • Arbor Knot • Uni to Unit Knot Arbor Knot

• Used to attach fishing line to the reel or spool. • If you make a Slip Knot by mistake it will just pull undone. • When the Arbor Knot is tightened the Second Overhand Knot snugs down against the Arbor. • https://www.animatedknots.com/arbor-knot Improved Clinch Knot

• The Improved Clinch Knot is one of the most widely used fishing knots. It provides a good method of securing a fishing line to a hook, lure, or swivel. The “improved” version shown here includes an extra tuck under the final turn. • https://www.animatedknots.com/improved-clinch-knot Palomar Knot

• The Palomar Knot is a simple knot for attaching a line to a hook, or a fly to a leader or tippet. It is regarded as one of the strongest and most reliable fishing knots. • The Palomar Knot is recommended for use with braided lines. • https://www.animatedknots.com/palomar-knot Uni Knot

• Also known as the Duncan Knot or the Grinner Knot and is a versatile knot that can have many applications. • The Uni Knot works well with both braided and monofilament fishing lines • https://www.animatedknots.com/uni-knot Uni to Uni Knot

• Used to join two lines. • Also known as a Double Grinner or a Double Uni Knot • https://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/Shakespeare-ome-uni- to-uni-knot.html Other Knots

• The Blood Knot is a favorite knot for fly . It is primarily used to join two lines of similar size. The strength of the Blood Knot depends on making at least five, and up to seven, turns on each side of the center • https://www.animatedknots.com/blood-knot Other Knots

• The Surgeon’s Loop is essentially a Double Overhand Knot. It can be tied quickly and easily in the end of a line. It is often used to make a “Loop to Loop” connection in the same way that two elastic bands can be hooked into each other. • https://www.animatedknots.com/surgeons-loop-knot Requirement #5

• Name and identify five basic artificial lures and five natural baits and explain how to fish with them. Explain why are not to be released. Hooks

• Bait fishing hooks come in a variety of styles. Most feature barbs on the shaft to hold bait in place. • Circle Fishing Hooks help prevent gut hooking fish because the hook slides out of the fish’s throat but catches the mouth. • Treble Fishing Hooks work well for cut bait and lures • Aberdeen fishing hooks are composed of a light wire and are often used for bait fishing. Sinkers & Weights

• Sinkers as tackle associated with live-bait fishing and weights as tackle used with artificial lures. Sinkers were made from lead but other metals are replacing it due to toxicity. – Split Shot Sinkers: They feature a groove that runs the full length of the sinker and once pinched holds it in place. – Bell Fishing Sinkers: These sinkers cast well in the wind and are less likely to get snagged. – Pyramid Sinker: These sinkers are often used in fast currents because they sink quickly and their flat edges prevent them from being rolled along bottom in fast currents. – Walking Sinker: It will easily glide over rocks, greatly reducing its changes of on the bottom. Swivels and Bobbers

• Swivels can be used to keep lines from being twisted. They also allow the fisherman to easily swap our baits/lures. • Bobbers let us know when a fish bites and keeps the bait at a desired level. Several different types. – Round Ball Bobber: Classic fishing bobber suspends bait and provides an indication to the angler when a fish bites. – Popping Cork: The sound of the popper cork is particularly enticing to fish. Make your cast and allow the disturbance to settle down, snap the tip of your rod and the cork will pop, bubble and splash. – Slip Bobbers: Designed to travel up and down the line and can be fished at any depth. They are ideal for deeper water and won't interfere with landing your catch. Rigging a Bobber Live Bait

• Worms are the tried and true – Nightcrawlers are best to catch walleye, trout, , and bass. They exhibit a great deal of spasming when put on the end of a hook. – Mealworms aren’t really a worm but a beetle larvae. Mealworms are a great choice when you are planning to catch smaller fish due to their smaller size. Good for trout, , bluegill, , – Red Wigglers are on the small size but are red and wiggly and thus easy for fish to spot. Red wigglers might be a good choice if you are looking to go after catfish, trout, crappie, panfish – Leeches are popular amongst fishermen primarily because they are so popular amongst fish due to the fact they are a common food-source for fish in the natural ecosystem. Good for walleye and bass. Live Bait

• Worms are the tried and true – Nightcrawlers are best to catch walleye, trout, crappies, and bass. They exhibit a great deal of spasming when put on the end of a hook. – Mealworms aren’t really a worm but a beetle larvae. Mealworms are a great choice when you are planning to catch smaller fish due to their smaller size. Good for trout, crappie, bluegill, perch, panfish – Red Wigglers are on the small size but are red and wiggly and thus easy for fish to spot. Red wigglers might be a good choice if you are looking to go after catfish, trout, crappie, panfish – Leeches are popular amongst fishermen primarily because they are so popular amongst fish due to the fact they are a common food-source for fish in the natural ecosystem. Good for walleye and bass. How to Bait a Worm on a Hook

• The type of fish you are aiming for will determine how you place the worm on your hook • The image on the left works best for small fish (crappie, bluegill). The image on the right is better for larger fish (bass) • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1zZWVRET4 Other Types of Live Bait • Minnows: – Pros: Will do most of the work of tempting the fish into biting your lure. Best to target deeper areas of still water. Might want to attach a small split shot to pull your minnow down into deeper waters. – Cons: Transporting minnows can be a bit burdensome. You also should never release them into the water once you finish. Types of Artificial Lures

• Using a is the most common alternative to live baiting. – Pros: Lures allow you to cast further than using live bait, are less messy than using live bait, are better for , because the fish are less likely to gulp the entire hook, allow you to target a species more accurately, and are easily interchangeable. – Cons: Lures are generally more expensive than live bait, can get snagged on underwater structure, requires you to constantly move them in order to attract the fish, may require skill to use effectively. Types of Artificial Lures

• Plugs – Plugs or crankbaits are hard plastic fishing lures shaped and colored to resemble bait fish or other prey. They’re made out of a solid or hollow piece of plastic, with a thin sheet of metal or plastic attached to the front. This sheet is called a lip. Plugs feature two or three treble hooks. Depending on the design, plugs can float, sink, dive, or hover. – Most plugs float on the water’s surface or suspend in the water, but dive sharply when retrieved. You can take advantage of this with a series of reel-and-stop moves that will resemble the behavior of live bait fish. Change your twitching intervals and reeling speed for variety. Types of Artificial Lures

• Jigs – Jigs have a weighted head on one side and a hook on the other. Featuring either a feather skirt or plastic grub, jigs are generally considered to be one of the most popular types of fishing lures. Thanks to their weight, jigs sink easily. – To take advantage of the jig weight, cast it out and let it sink to the bottom. When this happens, start : lift your rod up (slightly), and then retrieve the line as you lower it again. Types of Artificial Lures

• Spinners – lures move horizontally through the water. They come in many shapes and colors. These lures are perfect for catching species like Bass, Perch, Trout, and Pike. – If the water you’re fishing in is clear, pulling your spinnerbait just beneath the surface is a great way of attracting . Just keep your rod high and make sure the blades are beneath the surface. If the water is murky, you might need a sinker or heavier spinner. Types of Artificial Lures

• Spoons – Spoons are curved, concave metal lures. Their concave shape makes them shine and wobble as they move through the water. The bigger the curve, the wider the wobble. A wobbling lure resembles injured bait fish, and this is something game fish can’t say no to. – You can cast a or troll it. For casting, anglers usually go for 10–20 feet below the target zone, and then retrieve the lure right through it. Types of Artificial Lures

• Flies – Flies are a type of fishing lure traditionally used in . Thanks to the development of new materials, they can be sometimes be used in , as well. Fly fishing lures consist of just a single hook and a skirt. Using furs, feathers, or thread, these lures are tied to resemble insects, crustaceans, or other prey. – Flies work great in areas where fish approach the water’s surface. Some fly lures are designed to float (surface flies), while others are designed to sink (subsurface flies). Additional Gear

• Fishing involves more than a rod, reel, and lures or bait. Requirement #6a & 6b

• Do the following: • Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Discuss the positive effects of Leave No Trace on fishing resources. • Discuss the meaning and importance of catch and release. Describe how to properly release a fish safely to the water. Requirement #7

• Obtain and review the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what you accomplish by following them. Requirement #8

• Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to anglers. • Tell how the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing sports enthusiast, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior, and obeying fishing regulations. Requirement #9

• Catch at least one fish and identify it. Typical Fish Caught Blue Gill & Sunfish Crappie & Bass Carp & Catfish Gar & Paddlefish Pike, Muskie, Sauger, Walleye Trout Where to Catch Fish

• Fish need to eat, and their food isn't found just anywhere. – Weed beds and flooded timber provide habitat for fish like minnows, and bluegills, which prefer shallow cover and relatively warm water. – Rockpiles in cooler water are attractive to perch, walleyes and . These fish also are attracted to current. – Trout prefer pockets of calmer water amidst the cold water of swift, shallow streams, where they feed on emerging insects. Where to Catch Fish

There are several locations, some more advantageous than others, for fishing in streams: in the shade of overhanging bushes and undercut banks (A); in holes where tributary creeks come in (B); on the downstream side of boulders or other obstructions (C); in fast water riffles below pools (D); in deep pools made by bends in stream (E); in white water at the foot of waterfalls (F); and under bridges (G).

Where to Catch Fish

• Play the Percentages: Fish can be in lots of potential places. – Focus on places where food tends to collect or where fish can attack their prey. This usually occurs somewhere along an edge of their preferred habitat. – Weedbeds, flooded woodcover or the shoreline all form edges. – Other edges are less obvious. Such as where currents intersect or water temp gradients exist. – As you become more proficient at finding edges, you can start zeroing in on the most active, most catchable fish. Gain an advantage Where to Catch a Fish

Common locations for fishing in lakes include: in the shelter of boulders on a rocky shore (S); under overhanging trees and bushes (B); in deep water near the center of a lake (C); under docks and rafts (D); at the mouth of a stream entering a lake (E); near the mouth of an outlet stream (F); near dead logs and brush piles (G); and along the edges of the shoreline, lily pads, and weed beds (H). Where to Catch Fish

• Find irregularities along edges that concentrate fish. – Look for the tip of a long point extending into the lake, where it suddenly drops off into deeper water. – The general edge of weeds attract fish. Any turn in the edge further focuses them within a distinct spot. – Places where timbers cross or form small gaps can hold fish. – Fish need to eat. Find places where food is easily available. That happens along edges. – To catch fish consistently, understand how they relate to their underwater habitat.

Strike Zone

• : How far a fish will travel to hit a bait • Water Temperature: Too hot/cold slow bass • Water Clarity: The clearer the water, the larger the zone • Sky Conditions: Best in overcast conditions • Wind: A breeze increases catch rate • Depth: Depends on water temp, season, the deeper the water, the larger the strike zone. • Fishing pressure: Too much fishing reduces zone Why Bass Strike

• Hunger: Account for about 1/3 of all strikes and come in the early morning or late afternoon hours. • Reflex Action: Similar to a cat pouncing on a mouse • Anger: Aggravate the fish into striking your lure • Protective Instinct: Bass may be guarding their beds. • Curiosity: Bass in clear water might strike due to this • Competition: A strike from one bass will ignite interest from the rest of the fish • Territorial Instinct: A big bass will guard its territory Requirement #10

• If regulations and health concerns permit, clean and cook a fish you have caught. Otherwise, acquire a fish and cook it. (You do not need to eat your fish.)

• How to Clean a Trout

• How to Fillet a Bass BSA Complete Angler Award

• Earn the three Fishing related merit badges - Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish & Wildlife Management. • Complete one or more of the following projects: – Teach a Fishing or Fly Fishing merit badge skill to your troop, crew or team as part of a unit program activity. – Help instruct Cub Scouts on fishing skills or management as part of a Cub Scout meeting or outing. – Participate in a local fishing derby or tournament, either a Scouting or Community event. – Complete a conservation project that will benefit a local fishery.