While some anglers spend a good portion of the year waiting to target a specific species during a certain season, many anglers are constantly on the go, never relenting in their pursuit of fish, regardless of the species or time of year. While being a multi-species angler sounds like it’s a lot of fun and games, it comes with its own set of challenges. Today, we’ll touch on just a few of the challenges you may encounter as a multi-species angler.

Being forced to choose between species that are active at the same time of year can be frustrating. For example, while someone who is strictly a steelhead angler can put aside most of the spring for that specific species, some of us need to find a way to make sure we make time for the other species we want to target as well.

The species people fish for varies based on interest and location, and this may not be as big of an issue for some as it is for others, but if you are anything like me and like to target everything available, you may find this to be a problem. Some years I may not even get to fish for a certain species, despite my efforts, and while my spring is still full of fishing, there is a part of me that wishes I had a little more time to spread out, or fewer species to spread it amongst. 

Gear can be costly

Not only are we pressed for time as multi-species anglers, but we also soon realize there becomes a necessity for all kinds of different gear. One will quickly find that if you want to maximize your effectiveness, it will cost you. While some gear does overlap between species, you will often be forced to purchase species-specific equipment. The best advice is to start slow, and add a new species or technique each year. You don’t have to do it all at once.

The logistics of travel can also be an issue. If you are lucky enough to have easy access to all the species you plan to fish for, that’s great. In some cases, however, travel is required, and this is another cost to consider. Finding the time to get away from work, and the costs of travel can be too much of a limitation for some people.

While being a multi-species angler isn’t for everyone, it is for me. I don’t have the patience to wait for a specific fish or season, and I’m always looking for ways to expand my fishing opportunities. While fishing for multiple species comes with some challenges, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The variety of not only fish, but the experiences of angling for them, is just too tempting. It takes some planning, and it costs a bit more money to fish all year, but some of us wouldn’t have it any other way.

Brodie Kenna is the creator of the outdoors and fishing blog NWO Outdoors, a community and conservation-focused blog rooted on the north shore of Lake Superior. You can find more of his work on his website or on his Instagram page at @nwo.outdoors .