We all have that friend – she thinks fish are icky and worms are squirmy. But if you keep these things in mind, she just might get hooked.

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Fry some fish 
You have a friend that thinks fishing is hard, or it’s boring, or fish are gross, or she’s scared to look silly. Whatever her reason, she might change her mind when she sees the benefits of providing fresh fish for family and friends. Invite your friend over for dinner and whip up your tastiest panfish or bass recipe. Add a side of veggies from your garden and bread fresh from the oven to help flaunt the fishy feast. A quality meal with recently-caught fish at the center is just the thing to help someone get over their hesitations.

Get her outside
Ask your friend to come fishing with you. Let her know you’d love to show her how to wet a line. If your friend is on the fence about fishing, tell her to come along anyway; she doesn’t have to fish, you’d just enjoy having her along. You’ll only need a little time on a pier or a couple hours on the water, and she’ll get a better sense of what to expect. She may appreciate the beauty of your favorite lake or river, too. If she is interested in trying to hook a fish, make it fun, be patient, and lower expectations for your own experience. You’re not going to personally catch as many fish if you’re teaching or mentoring someone else, but you may be rewarded by turning a friend into a fish fiend.

Take her picture
Selfies and scenic shots help remind your friend of how fun fishing can be, even if she’s not catching much, yet. There’s also a good chance that if she shows family and friends, she’ll get a positive response. Getting the thumbs up from people she trusts can make all the difference.

Hook her up!
The fastest way to get someone hooked on a hobby is to get them their own gear. Having her own fishing rod, reel, and line will make her more likely to pay attention when learning and it’s one less thing to worry about when going on trips. The gear doesn’t have to be top of the line – anything will work if she catch a few crappies with it. You or your friends might pass along old stuff, or you might get her a nice birthday gift. Either way, you’ve done as much as you can if you showed her a good fishing spot, helped her get gear, and told her to holler if she has questions.

Adjust for her next trip
By this point, you’ve taken your friend on a few trips and hopefully, she’s starting to catch fishing fever. That said, if you know she likes a specific spot or enjoys certain aspects of the experience, plan that into your trips. When you take on the role of teacher, you may need to set aside some of your preferences. Consider what will make it a good trip for her, and don’t be afraid to ask what she enjoyed. She might surprise you with her answers and you may even learn something.

Good luck and share your own tips on our Facebook page!