5 Fun Fishing Date Ideas

There’s something to be said about sharing your passion with someone. Being passionate about something is attractive to many people. Getting someone else involved in you interest is a great way to show why you love it so much, and possibly get them interested as well.

Teach them how to fish

Show your date why you love fishing. If you fly fish, teach them to fly fish, if you fish lures, teach them how to fish lures, if you bait fish, bring some chairs and some drinks and set up shop. It’s a chance to share with them the joy you get from your favourite hobby.

Take them to a spot that you are guaranteed to catch fish. A new angler is not concerned about catching a trophy fish (although that would certainly be a bonus), they just want to catch something…anything really.

The goal is to make the trip feel more like a catching trip than a fishing trip. My fiancee has little interest in fishing, she does however quite enjoy catching. You could try a stocked pond if one is available. You can also be plan the outing during optimal conditions, and be sure to use your most productive lure, fly, or bait. It’s also worth noting you should avoid targeting picky species.

Panfish, trout (pan sized trout, don’t go targeting those picky trophy trout), bass, mackerel, flounder, and certain species of catfish all make good target species for a first time angler. Save the musky and steelhead hunting for a second trip if they’re still interested after the first outing.

I traded a date of fly fishing for a date of horseback riding with my fiancee. We both got to introduce each other to our hobbies, and both dates were great fun.

A note if you’re going to take your partner fly fishing. Have patience while teaching them to cast. It also pays to choose an area clear of trees and shrubs, you don’t want them getting tangled. Tangles and hangups cause frustration, and frustration does not make a good date.

Continuing with the fly fishing idea, stick to casting dry flies. Dry fly fishing is a very visual and exciting way to fish. If you try to nymph, you’ll probably be using an indicator and that adds unneeded difficulty to the cast. Nymphing without and indicator and streamer fishing is often more technical, not a good way to introduce a newbie to the sport. Use a elk hair caddis, or other confidence dry fly for maximum success.

Go kayaking together

Rent a few kayaks and head out on the lake. You can both spend time exploring the lake, and fishing new water. You could also do a bit of bird watching, maybe see a beaver or two, and you have the perfect date.

Even if your partner has little interest in fishing, this is still and option. If they are the type to casually paddle around, you may be able to get away with fishing while you both enjoy the scenery. Just be sure to have the mindset that you’re going to be covering alot of water rather than hammering the same fishing hole. You don’t want your date to get bored.

If your date is the type to zoom around while kayaking, leave the fishing gear behind. You won’t have time to fish properly, and they’ll just get impatient waiting for you. That being said, it is an excellent opportunity for you to scout out new fishing spots. Two birds with one stone right?

Book a chartered fishing boat

Leave the details to the professionals. Book a chartered fishing boat, and the captain will take you to the fish. It’s in the captains best interest to make sure everyone catches fish and has a good time. Bonus points if the fishing charter is in a scenic location.

The trip out to the fishing spot is just as much a part of the experience as fishing itself, especially if your wife or husband hasn’t been on a boat before. Fresh air, great views, and the chance to spot other wildlife are all part of the experience. Catching some fish is just the icing on the cake.

This idea works for more than just you and your partner, infact I think it works better as a group outing. We had a great time bringing my fiancee’s inlaws along for a group outing on a deep sea fishing excursion last summer. Mackerel, cod, and even a halibut (halibut was released) were all caught during the fishing excursion. A great time was had by all.

If you buy something below, I get a bit of beer money (commission).

Enjoy a day at the beach

This is more of a hangout together idea than a real date. It’s a good idea if you’ve been together a while and are very comfortable with each other. You can go fishing, while your date enjoys their time reading a book, sunbathing, or any other beach activity they love.

Spending the day at the beach like this allows you two to spend some time together, even if your ideas of a good time don’t always overlap. You do your thing, they do their thing, but you’re still making a day of it together. It’s also a great double date idea.

This idea also works in an urban setting. Go out together and get set up by an urban canal, pond, or lake. To spice this date idea up a bit more, bring some food along for a picnic. If you’re in an area where it’s legal, bring some beers to enjoy together as well.

An added (practical) bonus to this idea, is that you may be allowed extra rods if you bring your partner along. Many jurisdictions allow a certain number of rods per angler. If your date is present and has a license, throw a few baited lines out for them to watch as well. Be a good sport about it though and offer them to reel in a few fish if they’re interested.

Go ice fishing

A classic winter time activity makes an excellent date idea, as long as you’re sheltered properly. Cozy up to each other in a heated ice shack. Consider renting a nice ice fishing house for the day or weekend. You can spend your time fishing, drinking hot chocolate, and just generally enjoying time together away from civilisation.

Know the dangers of ice fishing and take all appropriate safety precautions to make you you and your partner have a safe, enjoyable time out on the ice. This is a good candidate for a group date, bring a buddy and their girlfriend or boyfriend with you and have a good time hanging out in the ice shack.