Essential tools for the fishing amateur

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To pursue a new fishing hobby, you will need the right tools to put you on the right track of progress. Instead of going for the cheap stuff, why not invest in fishing gear that lasts long enough for you to improve your skills? Here are some fishing essentials if you are just starting out your luck in the water.


Rods and reels -- There’s an overwhelmingly large selection of fishing rods and reels to choose from. As a beginner, you would want a starter set such as the Zebco Spincast Combo. It comes with two spin cast setups that you can use in different fishing conditions.


Lures -- While there are plenty of lures you can choose from, remember that there are specific lures that cater to specific water conditions and specific fish. A well-rounded option is the Curly Tail Grub and Kastmaster Spoons that are popular among beginners and even expert fishermen.


Fishing line -- Definitely an essential for fishing, a line is what you need to actually bait a fish and reel your catch back in. Most beginners who purchase a pre-spooled reel prefer the Monofilament line. A fluorocarbon line is less visible in the water and resistant to stretching.


Hello, I’m David Baer of Minnesota. Right now, I’m a Biology major at the University of Minnesota in hopes of becoming a doctor in the future. When I’m not busy with my studies, I spend time with my closest friends. I also like to go fishing, golfing, and playing tennis to relax my mind. For more articles like this, visit this page.

The best lakes for ice fishing in Minnesota

Winter season is almost upon us, and Minnesota is known to have magnificent landscapes and an abundance of lakes. Approximately, Minnesota has more than 11,800 lakes, and when these waters freeze, they all become sweet spots for ice fishing. Here’s a short list I made of the favorite ice fishing spots here in Minnesota:

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1. Upper Red Lake: This lake is known to be the largest natural freshwater lake in Minnesota and the 16th largest lake in the country. The lake has an upper and lower section, and the upper section is the place to go. You will encounter lots of high-quality walleyes and some northern pike and crappie in this lake.


2. Lake of the Woods: According to the Lake of the Woods Tourism website, this lake is recognized as the walleye capital of the world. Other fish you can find here are northern pike, sauger, Muskie, rock bass, largemouth bass, lake trout, and sturgeon. The lake has more than 45 resorts some of which offer ice fishing tours making it one of the top ice fishing destinations in Minnesota.

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3. Mille Lacs Lake: This lake covers more than 132,000 acres making it the second largest lake in the state. The lake’s sweet spots are spread in both the southern and northern ends. This lake features multiple species which includes walleye, rock bass, northern pike, jumbo perch, Muskie, small mouth bass, and tullibee.


4. Gull lake: Gull lake is located in Cass County and Crow Wing County and every year during January, North America’s largest ice fishing event (the Ice Fishing Extravaganza) is held here. The lake is the largest and most popular fishing spot in the Brainerd Lake Region and is abundant with fish species like walleye, northern pike, and bluegill.


My name’s David Baer, a student of biology at the University of Minnesota. Like most people living in this state, I, too, enjoy winter outdoor activities like ice fishing. If you’re interested in more fishing-related articles, you may want to visit this blog.

A historical overview of fly fishing

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According to writer William Radcliff’s "Fishing from the Earliest Times" (1921), fly fishing has been around since the first century. Marcus Valerius Martialis is credited by Radcliff as the inventor of the fishing technique. However, the earliest recorded manuscripts of fly fishing belonged to that of Claudius Aelianus in the 2nd century when he wrote about seeing Macedonian anglers fly fishing on the Astraeus River. According to Aelianus, the fishermen used red wool and feathers on their snares.


But it wasn’t until the 18th and 19th century that fly fishing had become what we know it to be today. In fact, toward the end of the 19th century, artificial bait had become the standard in catching bass, trout, and salmon.


In Asia, a form of fly fishing came out of Japan in 1878. Called the tenkara, the technique used a rod, line, and fly, but did not have a reel.

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Fly fishing widely became the method of choice early in the 20th century, with thousands of fishermen swearing by its effectivity in the 1920s.


At around the same time, fly fishing’s popularity on the global stage began to swell. From being perceived as an elitist hobby in Great Britain, it was adopted by the masses. A huge part of its increasing popularity can be attributed to the number of print publications featuring fly fishing.


The name’s David Baer. I’m currently studying at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biology. To stay fit and healthy, I regularly play tennis or go fishing. For more updates like this, visit this page.

Why should you take up tennis as a hobby?

Tennis is an intense sport.  While not everyone can go pro, taking up the sport as a hobby can benefit a person in many ways.  Over the past years, I have seen how playing tennis has improved my life.  Let me share with you some of the advantages that I have been experiencing:

Whole body workout

If you're not a gym person, tennis can be the best form of workout for you.  It engages the whole body and promotes cardiovascular health.  Compared to the usual gym routine, you'll end up enjoying running and chasing after the ball.  Instead of dreading physical activity, you'll actually look forward to some action on the court. 

Enhanced focus

Whenever I watch tennis games on TV, I always marvel at how focused the players are.  It seems that they are all driven to succeed.  But I noticed that my focus also improved not just during games but even during study time.  As a pre-med student, we have to deal with readings and lab work.  These days, I seem to be absorbing more of what we're learning thanks to my tennis training.

Better rest

When you're fueled by coffee, sometimes it becomes difficult to get deep sleep.  Ever since I took up tennis, my sleep quality has greatly improved.  I also don't feel tired even after studying until the wee hours.   The intense workout somewhat helps your body adapt easily.  When I don't have morning classes, I play during the morning.  It helps me stay awake and enthusiastic for the rest of the day. 

To start playing tennis, you don't really need an expensive racket and high-end shoes.  What's important is that you experience the thrill of the game. 

The name’s David Baer. I’m currently studying at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biology. To stay fit and healthy, I regularly play tennis. For more updates, visit this page.  It will work wonders for your mind and body. 

A Quick Guide For Golf Beginners: How To Get Started

So you want to get started in golfing. It looks like an intimidating sport, but get a head start in the needed skills, equipment, and golfing venue and you’re all set to enjoy the adventure. Here’s a mini guide for golf beginners.

For starters, here’s a quick history of golf. It can be traced back to China thousands of years ago, although the modern, 18-hole version today actually began in Scotland back in the 1400s. The first documented mention of the sport was its banning by Parliament in 1457, as it was deemed distracting to people undergoing military training. Golf was the ancient term for “club,” which means the game essentially translates to “club.”

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When discovering golf for the first time, it’s important to know about clubs. Focus on finding the kind of equipment that will help develop those skills with minimal expense. Prioritize learning, not buying the best clubs. That said, you may carry as many as 14 clubs in your bag, but if you’re a newbie you can start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge, and supplement those items with a 6-iron, 8-iron, pitching wedge, and a fairway word or hybrid offering 18-21 degrees of loft. Eliminate the guesswork and try clubs before buying them.

There are important golf terms to memorize as well, such as golf tee, fairway, the green, the rough, hazard, bunker, and stroke. There’s also scoring terminology, including ace, eagle, birdie, par, bogey, double bogey, and triple bogey. Acquaint yourself with these and the rules of the game.

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Seek out the help of a golfer friend or a seasoned hobbyist in order to avoid the confusion and overwhelming feeling that many new golfers probably have. There are numerous tips to heed, such as taking dead aim, creating a solid stance, and developing the perfect posture. Making friends with your grip is also crucial – practice holding the club in the correct position even when not playing golf. Don’t forget to have fun and build wonderful memories!

David Baer is currently studying at the University of Minnesota majoring in biology. On weekends, he enjoys going out with friends, golfing, fishing, and playing tennis. Learn more on this page.

Top Fishing Lakes In Minnesota

With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes, it’s immediately a prime fishing spot.  But with so many areas to choose from and with so many people visiting the state for game fishing, it can be quite difficult for first-timers to find the best ones.  Hereunder is a list of the ideal locales for catching those famed pikes, walleyes, and various trophy fish.

White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  It is located northeast of the Twin Cities and promises anglers a shot at catching a plethora of fish, from the black bullhead, bluegill, and largemouth bass to the muskie, northern pike, and yellow perch.

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Lake Waconia

The term “Waconia” comes from the Sioux and means “fountain” or “spring.”  This lake is located in Carver County and is 3,080 acres wide.  It’s a great area for catching largemouth bass, walleye, and panfish.

Lake of the Woods

Lying on the borders of Ontario, Canada, this 70-mile wide lake is a world-class fishing spot for anglers keen on catching walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass, and even espying Minnesota’s largest fish, the Lake Sturgeon.

Mille Lacs

This large and relatively shallow lake is a great fishing destination for catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and the northern pike.  It is located near Garrison, about 100 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. What’s up, everyone. 

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My name is David Baer, a student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Biology. When I’m not busy with my schoolwork, I like to go fishing or playing golf, especially during the weekends. For similar reads, visit this page.

Fishing 101: Saltwater Vs. Freshwater Fish

The reputation of fish as one of the healthiest food in the world has only been further established after years of studies and research. Global health organizations have ranked fish near the top of their various most-recommended food lists.

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However, there is an ongoing debate on which type of fish is better, saltwater or freshwater fish? Due to the difference of the nature of their habitat, these fishes naturally have different sets of nutrients to offer.

According to a number of studies, the intake of saltwater fish such as trout, herring, salmon, and sardines can increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. However, studies don’t show just how long before these fatty acids remain. The only sure thing is that regular intake of saltwater fish is needed to keep omega-3 at optimum levels. Freshwater fish, on the other hand, aren’t as abundant. In fact, the levels of DHA or EPA (both fatty acids) found in people who regularly ate freshwater fish, were negligible.

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However, freshwater fish also has protein and can be a good alternative solely for their nutritional content. If a person follows a diet that doesn’t allow them to eat saltwater fish, they may choose to eat freshwater fish and take omega-3 supplemental vitamins.

Hello, my name’s David Baer, and I’m currently studying at the University of Minnesota, majoring in biology. When I find myself with some time alone, I play golf or go fishing. Visit this blog to learn more about the stuff I love.