If you have ever felt the urge to slip away to a quiet shoreline or dreamed of bringing in a trophy catch, you already know that fishing is more than a pastime. It is a way of life. Fishing for beginners and pros alike offers peace, challenge, and connection. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in 2024, a record 57.9 million Americans went fishing, representing 19 percent of the U.S. population. That includes people brand new to the sport, those rediscovering it after years away, and lifelong anglers who cannot imagine a season without casting a line.
For someone just starting out, fishing can be as simple as a quiet afternoon at a pond with a single rod. For long-time anglers, it becomes part of life’s rhythm, a tradition built on patience, triumph, and memory.
Fishing for Beginners and Pros: The Appeal of the Water
Fishing’s reach keeps growing. Women now account for 37 percent of all participants, one of the highest shares ever recorded. Hispanic participation has nearly doubled in the past decade, reaching about 6.6 million people in 2024 .
The beauty of fishing is that it meets you where you are. You might spend an afternoon showing your grandchild how to cast in calm inshore waters, or you might head fifty miles offshore chasing the thrill of a big strike. It can be restful, exciting, or a little of both, all depending on the day.
A Life Shaped by the Water
Few anglers capture the spirit of this lifestyle better than Thomas (Tom) Snyder, a Navy veteran who has fished nearly every type of water. His journey began in western Pennsylvania and Ohio with his father, and later deepened in Texas where he fell in love with saltwater fishing while stationed there. Surrounded by coworkers who were avid anglers, Tom found himself chasing redfish and offshore species in the Gulf of Mexico. “Fishing offshore was challenging,” he says, “but that challenge was what hooked me.”
When his career brought him to Washington state, Tom discovered salmon, lingcod, and rockfish in the Puget Sound. His freezer brimmed with Dungeness crab, and the sheer volume of fish he cleaned even drew a complaint from his garbage collector. Over the years, Tom came to master the difference between inshore trips behind protective islands and offshore journeys that stretch fifty miles or more into open water. That mix of risk and reward has kept him coming back for decades.
The Catch of a Lifetime
When Tom looks back, two catches rise above the rest. The first was a king salmon in the Pacific, tipping the scales at 30 to 40 pounds. Landing it meant braving the Columbia River bar, a stretch of water where waves can reach 20 feet and timing the tides is the difference between safe passage and real danger. “It was incredible fishing in a very dangerous area,” he remembers.
The second came years later in Charleston, where Tom entered a local mahi-mahi tournament. On a charter trip, he hooked a 45-inch fish that earned him first place by less than an inch. The prize was more than $4,000, but what mattered most was splitting it evenly with the crew and fellow anglers. “It was about community, not just the fish,” he says.
Lessons from the Water
Tom’s years on the water have shaped lessons he now passes on with a smile. Beginners, he says, should learn from guides and clubs before rushing out to buy expensive gear. Show respect for those who take you out, always lend a hand, and do not forget simple courtesies like sharing snacks. And if you really want to be invited back, remember that small traditions matter, for example: bananas on boats are considered bad luck. Above all, Tom insists that pride should never steal your joy. “Don’t let your pride get in the way of your fun,” he says.
His advice for seasoned pros is not all that different. Even with decades of experience, there is always more to learn, whether from a guide, a fellow angler, or simply the water itself.
More Than a Hobby
Fishing, Tom explains, gives him more than food or prizes. After years of Navy service spent at sea, he still finds peace in the rhythm of casting a line. He often fishes alone or with one trusted partner, yet he treasures the friendships and sense of purpose the sport has brought into his life. Today, he volunteers with the Charleston chapter of the Navy League, offering military appreciation outings where active duty sailors join him on the water.
Science backs up what Tom has lived for years. Spending time outdoors lowers stress and blood pressure. Fishing also works the body in gentle ways, with casting, balancing, and steadying yourself on the water. And the social side is powerful: in 2024, nearly two-thirds of people said they fish to bond with friends and family
For Tom, that rings true. “The lessons for fishing are the same as the lessons for life,” he says. “It is about challenge, community, and joy.”
Your Next Cast
Whether you are brand new to fishing or have been at it for years, the water always has something waiting for you. Beginners can start small at a local pond, while long-time anglers might chase new challenges offshore or teach someone else the ropes. As Tom Snyder reminds us, fishing is never just about the fish. It is about the journey, the people, and the peace that comes each time you set out.
The water is calling.
About the contributor
Thomas Frederick Snyder, a Pittsburgh native, dedicated 30 years to the U.S. Navy, serving with distinction aboard aircraft carriers, in Vietnam, and later in senior leadership roles at NAVAIR Headquarters and as vice commander of the Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center. An accomplished sailplane pilot, diver, and adventurer, he now embraces retirement with the same spirit of purpose—traveling, farming, fishing, and exploring the world
