Fishing for Dummies

by Peter Kaminsky, Greg Schwipps

Make fishing easier and more rewarding every time you pick up your rod and reel No one can promise that you will catch fish all the time. For as long as we've been catching fish, fish have been outsmarting us. But there are tips and pointers that even the most seasoned anglers can pick up! Fishing For Dummies helps you prepare for what awaits beyond the shore. From trout to carp and bass to bonefish, you'll get coverage of the latest and greatest techniques to fish like a pro.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Sports, How To, Fitness, Outdoors

364 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Daniel Navarro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glu glu glu glu glu 🐟🐟🐟

[Mark Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a brand-new angler late in life and this book has down-to-earth, practical advice on how to go about this avocation. Kaminsky and his co-writer, Schwipps cover knot-tying, the variety of baits, how and what to look for, the various ways to rig a line and get it in the water. I appreciated his insight in getting familiar with where you fish, getting to know the pond or stream. Fishing involves being attuned to your surroundings.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

focussed too much on casting etc. -- I'm into trolling on a lake. Oh well, everything else was awesome.

[Randy Schmidt]

Have not fished since I was a kid some 50 years ago. This book gave me great insight in how to approach it again. I will enjoy my retirement with a rod and reel in my hands

[Alberto Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covering my bases

I have been on a few fishing expeditions off of charter boats. These expeditions consist of a big boat with other anglers and a crew that tells u to drop ur lines. There's not much to it. I thought I knew how to fish because of these experiences. I caught fish but whenever I tried it on my own off of a pier or lake I can't catch nothing. Part of it was because I didn't know basic things like the types of lures that certain fish like or what the different type of hooks do or how they work. This book covers that stuff. It's a good intro. Now I know what type of lures I want to experiment with instead of just buying the ones that look cool. I gave it a 3 star because the Kindle version doesn't have the color section which I felt was missing, but it does have cool diagrams that illustrate what they are talking about. I'd say don't be ashamed and read this book if you really want to get into fishing. It will start you off in right path

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3rd edition book had 392 pages.

I haven't really been fishing in over 30 years and as I'm getting closer to retirement, I wanted to get back into the hobby.

What I really enjoyed about the book was the organization. I thought the differentiation between fresh and salt water, fly and casting fishing was helpful. The explanation of how to read the water was great. The only thing missing was that the author referred to a colour section in the book, but there were no colour pictures in my edition.

Overall, I found the book quite helpful and think it would make a great gift for a young teenager who is interested in going fishing. In particular, the section on knots will be invaluable. This was well worth the purchase and was a good read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good reference book, that taught me all the basics about fishing when I was a kid, in easy language that even a kid can understand. I learned more about fishing than I ever wanted to know, even considering I was living on the coast where everyone went fishing. I never caught anything, but that’s because everyone else was fishing too. If I actually followed the advice in this book, I would catch more fish.

[Graeme Waymark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to rate this, it is a good reference book. I learned (always essential) and I did NOT feel like a complete 'Dummy'! Perhaps after I have read some similar 'how to books' I will be able better to rate; OR, I shall leave my ratings to fiction. Mind you reading of some fishing stories, it is obvious that it is not all non-fiction! LOL

[Baochun Zhen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for me who nothing about fishing before I landed in Canada 11 years ago

I did not start fishing until 2008 when turned 48. I knew nothing about fishing at that time. This book taught me everything I need to know. Now I am a very good fisherman after 10 years of reading books, learning from local people and practicing fishing every fishing season.

[Geoffrey Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely good for a dummy like me who never really had anyone teach him fishing as a child. My father took us a couple of times but he wasn’t much of a fisherman himself so I have to teach myself. This book is a great starting point and I’ll definitely refer back to it in many cases I’m sure. Highly recommend it for you noobs out there like me! 5 stars!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only negative is seems to skip right by catfish.... Mentions them offhandedly twice.. (limiting even that to flatheads and channel cats...blues are completely left out) ..otherwise I found the reading enjoyable ... And mostly made sense to me.

[Scott Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for the beginner about the world of fishing. It assumes you know nothing of the sport, and introduces you to the basics. Also gives several good tips for enjoying your next fishing trip. I wish I had access to chapter 23 (Ten Fun Ways to get Kids Fishing) when my kids were younger!

[Nic Kyweriga · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars...

[Nathan Douthit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title says it all. I will be returning to this one for reference.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

a well-orgainized read for everything regarding fishing, especially bait, spin and fly casting.

[Elwin Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread Review Jan 2023:

This book actually has extremely motivated and has got me excited to go fishing in 2023. Peter Kaminsky, you sir know your stuff when it comes to fishing. I am immensely impressed by this passionate author who really pours his heart out about what he lives and loves - the art of fishing.

People who want to get started or folks like me who are 'mid-level'... meaning that I've caught maybe ~50 fish or so, but by no means 100+ or any sort of expert. I humbly admit I have a lot to learn and grow within the craft of fishing, whether it be warm weather, ice fishing, fresh water, or salt water. Tons of growth opportunity ahead.

Strong hold at a 5 star rating. For a fishing book, can't beat this one.

For folks who are sleeping on 'for Dummies' books... let me tell you, all the ones I have touched have honestly been damn good if not great like this one. The quality of For Dummy publications are top notch. Do not let the humorous title approach fool you, as these are often times really great books on whatever topic you are looking to learn of.

___________________
Original Review May 2021:

I honestly wasn't expecting much from this... I couldn't have been more wrong. This was an incredibly comprehensive book about fishing and the author's passion and knowledge is really felt in every chapter. These "for Dummies" books continue to impress me.

I really enjoyed his focus on the positive mental health aspects of fishing, whether it be alone time to reflect and get away from modern life for a few hours, or time spent with friends or family.

The section on fly fishing and "match the hatch" was awesome. By far my favorite overall, mainly because I've never been exposed to anything about this subject. The detail he goes in to about the life cycle and stages of the hatch/fly fishing for trout was just so well written. I would love to learn more about this and absolutely give it a try one of these years.

If you enjoy fishing or want to get into it and experience some outdoor therapy, this book is perfect to supplement for you on that journey while your stuck in the city and can't get out on the water.

Highly recommend if you are interested at all in fishing.

Given the scope of the subject... hands down 5/5.

I am writing this review from my phone, so please disregard/understand any possible errors or auto-corrects.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a complete novice fisherman with only an hour or so of on-the-lake training from an experienced angler, I was baffled to go into Bass Pro and see just how much STUFF there could be for fishing. A ton of terms that made no sense. Bait out the wazoo.

This book was good for breaking down to me the different types of rods, reels, bait, rigs, etc., and a bit about how fish behave. I definitely feel like I'm not lost when I go in the store or read fishing articles.

Now, will it help me catch fish? I'll have a better answer on that come spring...

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a good time reading this book. Since I am not an ice fisher, I have to wait for appropriate weather to get out on the pier, or bank, or wherever I manage to get myself near water, with pole in hand. Since that doesn't happen enough, even with nice weather, it was fun to at least be able to read about fishing. Picked up some tidbits I didn't realize too, and it inspired me to give circle hooks a try.

[B.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good guide for the beginner angler, but I would have liked to have seen more information on techniques with specific types of lures and rigs. Also some tactics for common species rather than what amounts to mostly a detailed identification guide in the chapters covering the fish themselves. There is almost no information on habits of specific species.

[ASV Birkenau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable introduction to the basics of fishing which helps the novice understand some of the jargon which experienced anglers tend to use and which is a barrier for the newcomer trying to work out whjat is going on. Recommended for beginners.

[Philip Westcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for beginner

Had information on everything, most is just general information for a true beginner. Talks about differences between rods, reels, baits, lures, rigs, stream fishing, lake fishing, freshwater and saltwater. Great read for me.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of this series. They presume nothing and cover everything. This was no exception. Schwipps does a wonderful job giving you the tools to feel confident on the water.

A must read for beginner fishermen.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and caught seven dummies! Three were too small; threw 'em back.

[Spencer · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book treats you like you dont know what a stupid pole looks like.
we are not as dumb as this book makes out
0/10000. absolute bull shit

[Mark Yoshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to fishing as a hobby, diversion, and sport. Covers pretty much everything one would need to know. Conveys some of the excitement and appeal of actually fishing.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't,t finish I took it back to library. Will by this book someday to refer e as needed.

[Elio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too basic so it beomes hard to decipher between useful information and just basic material.

[Hom Sack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Good to know what is needed to get started.