by Marc Sussino
FISHING
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Merit Badge

 

Mr. R.
"A naturalist is one who calls our attention to things we have seen all our lives, 
but have never noticed."

 
Mr. R's Fishing Passport© (20-page, 4"x5" pocket guide) is available in PDF format to print out for non-profit use (requires free Adobe Acrobat© Reader).  Passports are copyrighted, but scouts and troops may use them free of charge if they create only one per scout.  BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc. (a small nominal fee will be charged).

 
  INDENTIFY PARTS OF REELS & RODS
Req#
1
 Point out and identify the parts of a saltwater reel, a bait-casting reel, a spinning reel, and a fly reel. Point out and identify the main parts of a fishing rod. Tell how you would care for this equipment. 
  • The Fishing Merit Badge Book has good drawings of the reels and rods with labels.

 
  DEMONSTRATE EQUIPMENT & EXPLAIN HOW USED
Req#
2
Demonstrate the use of two of the three types of fishing equipment (bait-casting, spinning, and fly) and explain how each of the three is used. 
  • If you don't already know how, have a relative, neighbor, or friend show you how with the actually equipment.

 
  KNOT:  TYING & THEIR USES
Req#
3
Demonstrate and explain the use of the following knots: clinch, palomar, turle, blood loop (barrel knot), and surgeon's loop. 
  • Fishing Cairns Drawings from "Fishing Knots & Rigs". Includes all required knots.
  • MarinewsAnimated drawings the blood, palomar, and turle knots (and others).
  • Killroy's Knots  Drawings of Blood Knot, Clinch Knot, and Surgeon's Loop.
  • Noreast.com

 
  SAFETY PRACTICES
Req#
4
Name and explain five safety practices you should always follow while fishing.
The Fishing Merit Badge Book has very good safety information to follow while fishing.

 
  HOW TO USE LURES AND BAITS
Req#
5
 Name and identify five basic artificial lures and five natural baits and explain how to fish with them. Explain why bait fish are not released alive. 
 

 
  FISHING REGULATIONS
Req#
6
Give the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what you accomplish by following these regulations. 
For other states, search the Internet with "fishing regulations" and (your state name).

 
  CATCH & IDENTIFY FISH
Req#
7
 Catch two different kinds of fish by any legal, sportsmanlike method and identify them. Demonstrate how you released at least one of them unharmed. Tell how you cleaned and cooked another fish.
The Fishing Merit Badge Book has good drawings of common fish and tips to help catch them.

 
  SPORTSMANLIKE FISHING
Req#
8
 Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to fishermen. Tell how the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing sportsman, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior, and obeying fishing regulations.

BSA Advancement ID#: 52
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2002
Requirements last updated in 2002
 

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Webpage updated December 2003
Webmaster, Mr. R.