Gone Fishin’

by Candice Temple

When it comes to Florida and enjoying the outdoors, the first thing that comes to mind might be golf. But, did you know that Florida is also known as the “Fishing Capitol of the World”? According to VisitFlorida.com, fisheries in the state comprise more than 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline. In a U.S. Census Bureau survey, Florida was even voted the No. 1 place to cast a line. Those who flock here for fishing are attracted to the diverse waterways available in Florida. Here in Palm Beach County, they can enjoy saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and backcountry fishing.

Although we aren’t directly on the coast, the fishing opportunities in the City of Palm Beach Gardens are plentiful! Several City parks have fishing spots for anglers of all skill levels. When school is out, the City hosts a very popular youth fishing camp that affords campers the chance to work on their skills, while being assisted by experienced fisherman. They work on a multitude of skills such as baiting a hook, catch and release practices, and fishing etiquette.

(L-R): Matthew Richardson , Ethan Snyder, Patrick Richardson, Quinn Blatchley, and Nick Cheung enjoy their first day of fishing camp.

This summer nearly forty campers attended the weeklong fishing camp at Lake Catherine to delight in one of the City’s most iconic views while honing their skills. The quiet, tranquil moments were occasionally interrupted by sudden bursts of elation as someone reeled in their prize. Often flanked by equally excited fellow fishermen giving them morale support, or an extra hand dislodging a hook, the campers enjoyed catching fish of all sizes.

The camp’s owner, David Aagaard, caught the fishing bug early in life and never looked back. He has fond memories from childhood of fishing with his father every Saturday in a little Jon boat as early as age 4. Today, in addition to working as a science teacher in Palm Beach County, he runs Building Up Sports Academy and passes along his love of fishing through youth fishing camps and charter fishing excursions. (continues)

Ethan Snyder practices catch and release.

“I teach Science and there is a lot of science when it comes to fishing”, says David. “I relate a lot of the science part into the fishing camps and programs. And I relate a lot of my fishing stuff in my science class. It’s fun!”

With more than fifteen years’ experience running his fishing camps, David has taught people of all ages how to fish and how to become better at fishing. We asked him for some tips that would aid our readers with getting started with fishing. Of the advice he can give, he says the most important skill to have is patience.

“From my experience, a lot of it is patience. There’s going to be those days where you don’t catch any fish and you’re going to have to be patient.”

Some say it’s better to fish in the early morning or later in the day. David says the fish bite at all times of the day under different weather conditions. Sometimes, you just need to change up your bait or your approach if what you are doing isn’t resulting in you catching fish no matter what the conditions.

“With different kinds of cold fronts before a storm, the fishing can be really good, or pressure changes can make for better activity from fish” says David. “Sometimes before a full moon you’ll see it improve. So, there is definitely a scientific element.”

Besides the immediate gratification of catching a fish, the sport has some other benefits. David shares that fishing has health and wellness benefits, as well.

“Studies have found that kids who fish have been found to be less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol,” he says. “They are more likely to appreciate nature and participate in conservation efforts.”

When it comes to kids, fishing is known to boost confidence, enhance motor skills and coordination, improve attention spans and teach perseverance. The health and wellness benefits work for adults, as well. Fishing allows us to connect with nature and has a natural meditative effect on the mind. These are some of the many reasons it is considered a lifetime sport.

Now that you’ve been armed with some solid advice, we hope you will get outdoors to try your hand at fishing. Cast. Wait. Reel it in. Repeat!

PLACES TO CAST A LINE IN PALM BEACH GARDENS

(All fishing locations have public restrooms nearby.)

Lake Catherine- 9481 MacArthur Boulevard

Benefits to This Location: When fishing from land, the trees along the walking path are plentiful. It’s easy to find a nice, shady spot to sit on the bank while you fish. If you like fishing on the water, check out the park’s new upgrade- a canoe/kayak launch. Only non-motorized vessels are allowed in Lake Catherine. Here you can look to catch large mouth bass, peacock bass and more!

Sandhill Crane Access Park- 8175 PGA Boulevard

Benefits to This Location: Giving access to the C-18 canal, this location can accommodate those with boats, as well as unmotorized vessels. Get the lay of the land from the park’s nature observation tower. It’s also a great place to see nature and move at a slower pace.

PGA National Park- 1 Ryder Cup Boulevard

Benefits to This Location: This park has a fishing dock that puts anglers right over the water. Ample parking and lots of other amenities co-located such as grills and picnic tables. Benefits to This Location: This canal stretches for a long distance, so if the fish aren’t biting in one spot you have a lot of options. This quiet area is bordered by Burns Road Community Center and Lilac Park, if you are looking for other Recreation opportunities to take advantage of.

The Gardens North County District Park- 5101 117th Court North

Benefits to This Location: Many people don’t know that the City’s newest park has a huge lake available for fishermen! Be sure to bring a hat or take advantage of dawn/dusk hours. Here you’ll find brim and bass.

DAVID’S TIPS FOR THOSE WHO ARE GETTING STARTED WITH FISHING

* Patience. Patience. Patience.

* Visit your local bait and tackle store to get a BASIC rod and reel.

* David advises that you don’t need anything too fancy or to spend a lot of money.

* Invest in a pair of good fishing pliers. You will use them a lot!

* Make sure you are following the regulations for fishing requirements and limits in Florida.

*Purchase the correct gear for the type of water you’re fishing in. For example, saltwater gear requires bigger rods and reels.

* Some of the best fishing is in the freshwater canals, including those in Palm Beach Gardens!

DON’T FORGET YOUR LICENSE! The rule in Florida is that if you attempt to take fish, even for catch and release, you will need to acquire a fishing license. Saltwater fishing for native marine animals like crabs, lobster and marine plants also requires a license. If you are age 16-64, you are required to have a license to fish according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Those younger than 16 or older than 64 can skip the license if they are a Florida resident. A fishing license can be purchased online or almost any place you buy fishing gear. Visit www.myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one for more information.