[Revision]

Here is the original piece, How to FInd Fishing Spots in a New Area written for my Topics in Applied Writing Course. The assignment was to write a "how-to" piece that would be easy to follow along and learn from.

How To Find Fishing Spots in a New Area:

Have you ever been on a trip, be it with your family or significant other, and you wanted to wet some lines in a new or exotic area, but didn’t know where to begin? Well then this is the article for you! Here are 5 helpful tips for any angler looking to get started in an unfamiliar location.

1. The Worldwide Web: The easiest way to gain fishing information is with a quick Google search. While you may not stumble upon any super secret locations, this can be a great place to gain general knowledge about locations as well as flies and tackle. Specifically look for recent blog posts or regularly updated local fishing reports. Try to avoid any information that dates back more than a few years as conditions are constantly changing.

2. Ask a Local: If you have the time, it is always a good idea to consult a local fly or tackle shop before heading out into unfamiliar waters. Employees of these shops can be a wealth of information regarding local conditions and methods. The shop may even offer guided trips if that is something you are interested in. This is also a great one-stop option if you will be needing to purchase tackle or any licenses for the area. One important thing to remember is that no one wants to give up their favorite fishing hole, or their second favorite… but if you are friendly and make a purchase in the shop to support the business, they may just give up their third favorite.

3. Google Earth: The creation of Google earth has been a game changer in the fishing world ever since its creation. With this tool it is possible to see clear images of coastlines, structure, and even slightly submerged objects. Additionally, Google earth can provide clear visuals on drop-offs and gradual changes in depth. While this tool is definitely more helpful for saltwater and lake fishing, this can also be a key tool for scouting out areas of good structure along river systems. Google earth also gives users the ability to mark and save a location for future reference. If you don’t already know what you are looking for the google earth option can be a bit confusing; however, if you already have a baseline knowledge of an area this can be a game changer for finding spots.

4. Nautical Maps and Charts: If you find yourself unable to use the internet, there is always the old fashioned way. This option relates mostly to marine or inshore fishing; however, this can also be a useful tool in larger lakes. Nautical charts provide accurate coastline and depth data. Similar to the google earth option, if you already have a baseline knowledge of methods and tackle for the area, this can be an incredibly helpful tool. Most nautical charts will also identify reefs, semi-submerged rocks, and shipwrecks which are all great holding areas for many fish species.

5. Explore: At the end of the day there is no better way to learn how to fish a new area than simply going out and fishing. As I eluded to above, fisherman are very secretive, and no one wants to expose their honey hole. Though all of the options on this list are helpful tools, it takes time and practice to find the best areas and most effective methods. That being said, you never know when you might stumble upon your own secret spot.

For my revision I will be revising my piece titled, How To Find Fishing Spots in a New Area, from my Topics in Applied Writing course. This piece was originally written as a “how to” that could be used in an article/listicle in a magazine or online. In conveying my information, this genre worked perfectly; however, I want to see if I can reach the same effect after transforming this piece into more of a formal and easy to read essay. When I am finished, I would like this piece to almost read like a story. Typically, essays follow a standard format of an introduction, followed by multiple body paragraphs, finally wrapping up with a conclusion. My finished product will likely include an intro, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This is how I would like to structure my revision. Typically, essays will use information from outside sources and quote cite them within the piece. I will be taking a different route, using information that I have accumulated through years of trial and error while going fishing. This may also include embedded links to described websites. Essays can range quite a bit in formality, but for this scenario I would like to write in a more relaxed and inviting way. The initial genre this piece was written in is somewhat dry, and very to the point. In my revision I would like to achieve a more relaxed effect that is entertaining as well as easy to read. Additionally, the “how to” in my opinion, caters to a younger generation with short attention spans, looking for information quickly. I would like to structure my essay more formally in a way that maybe the older angler could pick it up and learn a few tricks. Fishing is a unique activity in that people of all ages and demographics do it. I do not believe that the trendy “how to” appeals to all of these people. I feel confident that a relaxed essay would be best in reaching all appropriate audiences. It might be difficult, but I would love to insert a quote into my revision, which would certainly go along with the essay genre. While both the “how to” and essays could be lumped in the popular writing category, I believe the two finished products will be quite different. Yes, I am still writing to a similar audience, yet the mood is very much different. With the new qualities that the essay genre can offer my piece, I hope to reach an even broader audience and spread the good word on how to find new places to fish.

As any seasoned angler will tell you, getting started fishing can be extremely confusing, and even intimidating at times. This also holds true for getting started and finding spots in a new area. As someone who has been fishing for the better part of 20 years, I know just how daunting this can be. Without any solid information one might end up using the wrong methods, or even fishing in an area void of fish altogether. In my time as an angler, I have had many days where I felt as though I just did not have a clue. However, as time has passed, I have been able to learn a few helpful tips to make it so I always have resources no matter where I plan on fishing.

When I was growing up it was not often that I had immediate access to quality internet connection. Certainly not for researching fishing techniques and locations. Because of this, I was forced to become rather outgoing when looking for information regarding fishing. It was through necessity that I found arguably the greatest resource available in regards to gaining information on fishing access and techniques: the tackle or fly shop. I was lucky enough to grow up with a bait and tackle shop just a short walk from my house. Ever since I was old enough to go out on my own, I would frequent the shop looking for new gear and pestering the employees for fishing advise. Tackle shop employees are a wealth of knowledge for all local fishing information and conditions. Shops may even offer guided trips, which can be a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport of fishing. Tackle and fly shops are also a great resource if you are looking to get out on the water while on vacation, as they will always have licenses as well as gear pertinent to the area. When you find yourself looking for information in a tackle shop one important thing to remember is that no one wants to give up their favorite fishing hole, or their second favorite… but if you are friendly and make a purchase in the shop to support the business, they may just give up their third favorite.

Luckily for anglers coming up today, the internet now holds endless information available to anyone willing to search. Without a doubt, the fastest and easiest way to get fishing information is with a simple Google search. While you may not stumble upon any super secret locations, this can be a great place to gain general knowledge about locations as well as flies and tackle. Blog posts and regularly updated local fishing reports will keep you up to date on what people are catching fish on and where. Additionally, anglers can find flow updates, water temperature reports, and local regulations with one quick search. Even as an experienced angler I find myself checking the web before every outing. One specific online resource which I have come to rely on quite heavily is Google Earth. Google earth has been a game changer in the fishing world ever since its creation. With this tool it is possible to see clear images of coastlines, structure, and even slightly submerged objects. Additionally, google earth can provide clear visuals on drop-offs and gradual changes in depth. While this tool is definitely more helpful for saltwater and lake fishing, this can also be a key tool for scouting out areas of good structure along river systems. Google earth also gives users the ability to mark and save a location for future reference. This program allows anglers to map out specific plans and have an idea of where to go in places that they have never seen before with their own eyes. That being said, if you do not know what types of structures and areas to look for the google earth tool can be quite confusing.

It is funny, I have found that the more I learn about fishing, the less I can rely on modern technology for help. As I alluded to earlier, fishermen can be very secretive and even downright stingy at times when it comes to sharing their honey hole. Because of this, there are still some areas deemed too pure for the internet. To find those fishing spots, one must learn to read a nautical maps and charts. This method mostly pertains to marine and inshore fishing; however, this can also be a useful tool in larger lakes. Nautical charts provide accurate coastline and depth data. Similar to the google earth option, if you already have a baseline knowledge of methods and tackle for the area, this can be an incredibly helpful tool. Most nautical charts will also identify reefs, semi-submerged rocks, and shipwrecks which are all great holding areas for many fish species. I have personally used nautical maps to locate possible new structure on slow days while fishing in my home waters of Long Island Sound.

With all of these resources available to the newbie angler, it has become easier than ever for fishermen to find new locations and share tips and tricks to catch more fish. While there are many great outlets one can go to, at the end of the day, there is no better way to learn how to fish a new area than to go out and fish. Though all of the resources listed above are helpful tools, it takes time and practice to find the best areas and the most effective methods. To this day I still enjoy going out and exploring a new piece of water above anything else. You never know, you might just stumble upon your own new secret spot.