Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #196092 in Books
• Published on: 1988-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780811722261
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Excellent resource-book!
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!

Great to get you started!
This is a wonderful book to give a newcomer to fishing enough of the basic know-how to get them started in recreational freshwater fishing. It is well-organized, well-written, and has enough information in it to warrant rereading several times over. It is a good confidence builder and a great early reference guide for a great recreational pastime.

Still in print means something
I was searching for another fishing book when I saw that Cliff Hauptman was still in print. Even though I was not a total novice, I learned a lot from this book. And panfishermen should note that this is practically the only book that addresses crappies, bluegills and like that.

I'm now an occasional fisherman, doing my best on extended backpacking trips to extend my diet with trout. Lightweight tackle is not a topic Hauptmann gives any ink to, and if you want to actually clean that fish you just caught, Hauptman is silent (but check out Mark Bittman's _Fish_ for good graphics and how-to).

Others have criticized the "cheesy" photos in this book. I don't get it. All the photos seem to be of Chris Hauptman and his wife demonstrating pole-handling techniques described in immediately related text--what more could you ask? Even though I'm a side-arm caster, Hauptman knows his stuff and makes it clear.

Negatives: Another reviewer liked the drawings of various fish species mentioned in the text, but the one on the cover is all anyone needs.