Boats: It doesn't matter to hardcore "freshies" if their lake of choice has less square footage than a developer's waterfront spec house, because apparently it's the law that they must have a boat capable of Mach One. Sparkly bass boats are still the norm, although you would think the high visibility would announce its presence to fish like a snooty butler at a formal dinner. Saltwater anglers, on the other hand, prefer center console boats, because only lightweights need a place to sit or somewhere to get in out of the weather. They prefer to have at least two engines in case of a malfunction, or as many as four, in the event that a meteor strike takes out the other three.

Rods and Reels:  Freshwater anglers' reels, like Americans' savings accounts, keep getting smaller every year, although they're still loaded with 80-pound test Spiderwire, so they can winch in the average bass in seconds flat. They have rods for every technique with a "g" missing, like flippin', jiggin', castin', pitchin', and chunkin'. Saltwater anglers, in contrast, don't seem to be the least bit embarrassed to have reels bigger than their heads, just in case they hook something that weighs more than a Somalian fashion model. With fishing poles stout enough to carry electricity to homes, "salties" make sure that they have enough "stick" to muscle in that trophy, two-pound Spanish mackerel.

Techniques: Freshwater anglers tend to go where they think the fish are located, using a trolling motor to circumnavigate a lake and casting along the shoreline like every other boat-borne fisherman. That is, except in those areas where land-based anglers are fishing, who cast as far from shore as possible. Saltwater anglers try to bring the fish to them by chumming with a substance nastier than a rap star's lyrics. They also "troll," or drag a bunch of incredibly unnatural-looking lures through the water, hoping to snag a fish that just happens to have its mouth open.

For those who are interested in fishing but are still uncertain which body of water best suits you, here's a handy quiz to see whether you should fish in fresh water or salt water:

1.You would rather be ...

A. Eaten alive by vampirous insects because you've forgotten your bug repellent.

B. Occasionally caught in mountainous seas, wishing you had bought the bigger boat.

2. You are ...

A. Happy to catch any fish, even if it's too small to be a Weight Watcher's entrée.

B. Only happy if you catch a fish that makes you work harder than a ditch digger in summer to land.

3. You don't mind ...

A. Sharing the water with dogs retrieving sticks, people pedaling bizarre rental contraptions or the occasional water moccasin.

B. Being constantly boarded by bored U.S. Customs agents, sharks taking a swipe at your fish, or guests repeatedly throwing up ... sometimes over the gunwale.

4. When the fish aren't biting ...

A. You're just as happy going water skiing or calibrating your new binoculars by watching the volleyball game at the nudist resort on the other side of the lake.

B. You prefer to whine and blame commercial fishermen, the "gub'ment" or the tide, which is either too strong or not strong enough.

5. You would like ...

A. To go fishing with your family in order to spend quality time with them and to build memories that will last a lifetime.

B. To go fishing with your family in order to spend quality time with them and to build memories that will last a lifetime.

  Whether you're an "A" freshwater or "B" saltwater angler, it's time to give something back; share your enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport by taking someone new out fishing on the water. Visit www.anglerslegacy.com and take the pledge today.