Imagine you are enjoying a beautiful day on the water, you are getting some great shots and catching some beautiful fish, the sun is shining on the sparkling calm water, nothing could be better. Darling.

… but this perfection doesn’t last long as his wife or girlfriend starts scolding “this is boring” “How long has it been now?” “this seat is so uncomfortable”… sounds familiar?

Let’s face it: all of us fishermen have to bring our girls along at some point, so why can’t we turn that ‘nagging, nagging, nagging’ girl into a keen angler?

Here are top 10 tips to keep your girlfriend or wife happy when you take her fishing, which will make her pester you to take her fishing!

1. Pack a picnic lunch for the trip.

Bring a blanket, drinks and food to enjoy in the middle of the day. Make it romantic, with sparkling wine and strawberries for extra brownie points!

2. Enjoy the company.

You just might learn something new about your girl when you’re out with mother nature.

3. Get him involved!

You never know, she could be a natural! Help your girl bait her hook and cast, if she is a first time angler. Ask her for her advice or show her the intricacies of this exciting sport. Show him how interested and passionate you are about it.

A few words of warning, a few things you may not want to do:

– Tie knots

– bait hooks

– get the fish off the hook

– hold the fish for photos

– kill the fish

– clean/gut the fish

4. Get excited and celebrate!

If she’s trying to fish, make sure you give her a lot of encouragement for everything, and with her first catch make sure she knows you’re proud of her.

5. Make sure you have plenty of backing material.

If she’s not a fisherman, make sure before you leave you have a full range of supplies to keep her entertained throughout the day. This includes: iPhone/iPad (with a full battery), books or magazines, iPod to listen to music, your most comfortable chair and some snacks.

6. Competition.

Encourage some fun competition with your girl. Create some excitement and organize a fishing contest, it will also be a good opportunity to show your skills!

7. Choose a place with beautiful landscapes.

The chances that you will be happier in a beautiful part of the country are much higher. Don’t drag her through a mosquito-infested swamp.

8. Making a deal or a bribe.

If your other half starts to get bored or wants to come back, but you’re having a great session and wants to stay, make a deal. “If we stay 2 more hours, I’ll buy you a present.”

9. Go fishing with another couple.

Find your friend, ask him to bring his girl and make it a double fishing date. It keeps the girls busy and gives you guys time for some serious fishing!

10. Don’t keep her away from fishing!

If your wife/girlfriend is interested in fishing, go along slowly. If he shows her how to fish, don’t overwhelm her with information (it’s boring for her), start with the basics and gradually build up over time. She will ask questions when she is curious. Have some shorter nightly sessions to start with, 2 hours is ideal. Hopefully, she will become interested in time and want to learn, not feel pushed into doing something she doesn’t want to do.

Enjoy your time with your girl and make an effort to keep her happy, and you never know, maybe one day she’ll go fishing for you.