|
|
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent resource-book!, March 14, 2004
By A Customer
I have to admit that, at first glance, I wasn't all that impressed with this book. Perhaps I was even a little disappointed when it arrived. There was nothing inside in color, some of the B&W photos in the early chapters were a little 'cheesy' and not a single thing I really needed, or wanted, to know immediately was referenced in the skimpy 2-1/2 page index. I put it aside for a week or two and first read all of the other fishing-related titles that I had ordered from Amazon. HOWEVER...When I got into this book, I was really impressed by the thoroughness with which topics were covered. The title is very appropriate--it's a "basic" book. That implies that it's designed for beginners. I've done a lot of ocean fishing over the past half-century and it was a bit of a drag when I saw the first chapter's title: "What is Fishing? What is Tackle?" Nevertheless, it was a well-written and thoughtful chapter that set the tone for the rest of the work to follow. After this intro, all the major "forms" of fishing are subsequently covered in individual chapters:--baitcasting, spinning, spincasting and flycasting. Mentions are made of trolling, later in the book, where boats, waders, tackle boxes and all types of other 'peripherals' are covered. Mr Hauptman is not excessively opinionated, but he does offer his opinions when he foresees that a novice might become confused. Overall, he comes across as just the sort of man that any fisherman would like to have as a friend and mentor. When issues are controversial, he mentions the fact, states an opinion and justifies it. Then he invites his readers to just 'go out and try' what they've learned so far and to make up their own minds.
The absolute highlights of the book (for me) are the chapters on baits--both natural and artificial; the chapter that is entitled "Let's Go Fishing"; and the excellent "action drawings" by Ernest Lussier, of all the fish species mentioned in the text. Mr Hauptman's coverage of artificial lures is, without a doubt, the best "tutorial" I have ever found, including those from the tackle manufacturers themselves. Throughout the book, baits are categorized according to both their function and the best methods of use. I believe that anyone who had read this book thoroughly would have better-than-average success in fishing almost any body of freshwater in the world. Total beginners will probably save a fortune in buying their equipment according to Mr Hauptman's advice. I don't know how or why I let this book sit on a shelf for so long! I've read it about four times, now, cover-to-cover and I expect to keep referring to it for a long time to come. I carry it with me on my many long train journeys. That's my highest recommendation for any book!
|
by Peter Kaminsky
by Gene Kugach
by John E. Sherry
by Gene Kugach
by Vic Dunaway
