How to Start Fishing: Tips for Beginners with Caleb Covington | MS Outdoors Podcast

Caleb Covington, MDWFP's State Lakes Coordinator, joins the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast to talk about getting started fishing in Mississippi — whether you're an adult picking it up for the first time or a parent looking to introduce your kids to the water. Caleb and Matt break down what gear you actually need to get started, where you can go without a boat or private land access, and why bream fishing with a cork and a cricket is still one of the best ways to fall in love with the sport. They also talk about patience when introducing kids, why a push-button spincast reel beats a baitcaster for beginners, and why it's okay to leave early the first few times. MDWFP has a whole resource page at https://www.mdwfp.com/justaddwater with knot guides, bait recommendations, an interactive fishing spot map, and bait shop locations across Mississippi. Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Follow MDWFP Website: http://www.mdwfp.com Facebook:   / mdwfp   Instagram:   / mdwfponline   X:   / mdwfponline   00:00 – Intro: Caleb Covington, MDWFP State Lakes Coordinator 00:57 – When did Caleb start fishing? Age 3 or 4 — on his grandfather's farm pond 01:49 – The VHS tape: a bluegill called a catfish, and a brother who hasn't let it go 02:38 – Matt's start: same story, someone put a pole in his hand at 2 or 3 03:08 – Credit to mama: digging worms in the garden, fishing the farm pond 04:16 – It's never too late to start fishing at any age 04:35 – Two barriers: knowledge and access — and how Mississippi addresses both 05:04 – 18 MDWFP state fish lakes plus 20+ state park lakes across Mississippi 05:37 – The "Just Add Water" resource page: mwfp.com/justaddwater 06:10 – Real fact sheets from biologists: what's biting, bait recommendations 06:33 – "We guarantee there are fish there" — just no guarantee you'll catch them 07:19 – Knot tying: the improved clinch knot, why it still works 08:41 – Why adults are sometimes hesitant to ask for help learning to fish 09:05 – No one right way to fish: bass, catfish, bream, crappie, from the bank 09:41 – You don't need a boat — a cane pole, cork, and worms will do 10:31 – Caleb's daughter's first fish: a spring evening, a micro rig, and "Daddy, I got one" 13:37 – Now Caleb's the guide every time the family goes fishing 14:07 – Fishing is year-round — no season, no waiting 14:29 – Matt's dad's approach: leave when the kid wants to leave, and they come back for more 15:53 – Patience is everything when introducing someone to fishing 17:39 – Right place, right time — it only takes one or two casts sometimes 18:15 – Where to start: bream fishing from the bank with crickets 18:43 – Don't start a beginner on a baitcaster — the backlash will end the trip 19:15 – Chip's question: what's the bare minimum gear you actually need? 19:33 – Basic checklist: scissors or clippers, pliers, corks, split shot weights, hooks 20:01 – Beetle spin vs. cork for bream — active vs. patient fishing styles 21:17 – Push-button spincast reels: foolproof for beginners, used by pros too 22:03 – More fish in history caught on a Zebco 33 than any other reel 22:25 – Combo starter kits: rod, reel, tackle box, everything ready to go 22:46 – Caleb keeps a breakdown rod in every truck — always ready 23:10 – Matt's wife finds plastic worms in coat pockets and the dryer 23:37 – mwfp.com/justaddwater: knot guides, bait tips, interactive map, bait shop locator 24:30 – Interactive map: bodies of water, boat ramps, and bait shops statewide 24:47 – You don't need to spend $500 to fit in — the sport doesn't require a threshold 25:42 – Find a friend with a boat: the FWB Tour (Friends With Boats) 26:21 – Caleb's been State Lakes Coordinator for just over a year 26:52 – Final reminder: mwfp.com/justaddwater 27:02 – Closing