Fishing is a pastime enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete novice. The thrill of reeling in a big catch is something that never gets old. However, if you want to start fishing, it can be a bit overwhelming.
If you’re not sure where to begin. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start fishing like a pro. Though some of the gear is optional, it is recommended for safety or ease of performing certain tasks.
Equipment: What You Need to Get Started
The first step in getting started with fishing is to gather the necessary equipment. There are a few basic pieces of gear that you’ll need to begin:
- A fishing rod and reel: This is the most important piece of equipment for any angler. A good quality rod and reel will make it easier to cast your line and feel a fish bite.
- Fishing line: You’ll need a good quality fishing line. Cheap low quality lines cause problems.
- Hooks and lures: You’ll need a variety of hooks or lures for the different types of fish. Add in a few sinkers for weights.
- Bait: Bait is used to attract fish to your hook. Live bait, such as worms or minnows, is often used, but artificial lures can also be effective.
- A fishing hat and sunscreen: Protect yourself from the sun while you’re out on the water.
- Tackle Bag or Box: This will help you to keep your tackle and other essentials organized.
- A cooler: Keep your drinks and snacks cold while you’re out on the water.
- Release Tools: A fishing net can be useful for landing your catch. Long Nose pliers make removing hooks easier and safer.
- Fishing Licenses: These vary by locale and you may need special permits for some types of fishing or locations.
How to Choose the Right Rod and Reel to Start
When you start fishing the rod and reel is the first decision to make. I suggest borrowing one from a friend if possible. In the event, you do not know or a friend does not loan gear. A combo is the best choice for beginners. The rod and reel are paired with balance. A balanced combo is easier to cast and handle for hours while fishing. An unbalanced setup will cause fatigue in your arms and wrists.
Consider the quality of the gear. How often will you fish? Fishing a few times a month a combo with lower quality and costs is okay. Fishing several times a week you need better equipment. The reels on low-cost combos will not last a full season fishing a couple of times a week. The reel is usually the difference between a 60-70 dollar combo and one over a hundred dollars.
That said, find a combo with the quality you need for how much you fish. That is the easy part of the selection process. Where it gets confusing for beginners is with the rod length, sensitivity, power, and action. All these aspects of a rod affect its performance. The rod’s performance relates to casting, detecting bites, and fighting a fish.
Rod Length to Start Fishing
How to choose the rod’s length to start fishing is important for casting most of the time. A shorter rod is more accurate and is better if fishing on the shore. You need to have room to swing the rod without obstructions. Areas on the shore will have trees, brush, and other objects making space limited. The longer rods will cast farther. In some cases, a long cast is needed.
At the ocean or larger lakes, a long cast gets you into deeper water. Look for a rod length suitable for where you fish. In general, a 6-7 feet long rod is good for freshwater fishing. Fishing in the ocean you need an 8-10 feet length in many situations.
Rod Action and Power
How to choose the right power and action to start fishing is a key element overlooked by beginners. In simple terms, power is how hard it is to bend the rod. The action is how close to the tip it starts to bend. People confuse the properties of a rod. Each is different and affects performance differently.
The chart shows suggested power and action for species. These are general guidelines for each species. You may need to go lighter or heavier in power. That will fit your specific style of fishing, the size of the fish, and the lures you will use.
| Fish | Type | Presentation | Length | Power | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Spinning | Live Bait | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Med | Fast |
| Bass | Spinning | Lures | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Med. or Med-Heavy | Fast |
| Bass | Baitcast | Soft Plastics | 6’6″ to 8’ | Med. or Med-Heavy | Fast |
| Bass | Baitcast | Reaction Lures | 6’6″ to 8’ | Med. or Med-Heavy | Moderate to Fast |
| Walleye | Spinning | Live Bait | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Medium | Fast |
| Walleye | Spinning | Jigging | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Medium-Light | Fast |
| Walleye | Spinning | Crankbaits | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Med-Heavy | Moderate |
| Panfish | Spinning | Any | 5′ to 7′ | Ultra-Lite or Lite | Fast |
| Trout | Spinning | Any | 6′ to 7 1/2 | Light | Fast |
| Catfish | Baitcast | Live Bait | 7′ to 8’6″ | Med-Heavy | Moderate |
| Musky | Baitcast | Lures | 7’6″ to 9’6″ | Heavy or above | Fast |
| General | Spinning | Any | 6’6″ to 7’6″ | Medium | Fast |
Choosing a Reel to Start Fishing
The spinning reel is better for people starting to fish. The reels need less experience and cost less. A baitcasting reel is a more technical piece of equipment. They are suited for specific fishing presentations ( which lure and how a bait is used). A spinning reel works for all types of fishing at adequate performance levels.
The size is important to achieve a proper balance with the rod. A reel too light or heavy does not balance with the rod. This leads to fatigue and poor performance. Buying a combo solves the problem for a beginner. If a good combo is not available you need to get the right size to match with a rod.
How to choose the size of a spinning reel for the species and how you fish.
- Size 1000; Ultra Light to light tackle is good for freshwater trout and panfish.
- Size 2000; Light tackle used for fish up to 15-18 inches and a few pounds.
- Size 3000 Medium tackle used for all-around fishing and bass fishing primarily.
- Size 4000; Medium tackle used for slightly heavier fishing applications such as catfish, larger lures, or working fish out of heavy cover.
- Size 5000 or above is a heavier tackle for saltwater, pike, musky, and other large game fish.
These sizes are general guidelines for spinning reels to fit rods designed for each species. There are in-between sizes such as 1500, 2500, and 3500 from some manufacturers. This helps to get a good balance with longer rods. A word of caution, the sizes do vary among manufacturers. A 1500 size from one company may be the same as a 1000 from another. Looking at the overall weight does help.
Combos for beginners to start fishing.
Choosing Terminal Tackle When Starting Fishing
The terminal tackle is considered disposable, thus the name terminal tackle. You will lose or have the items wear out faster than a rod or reel. This consists of hooks, lines, and sinkers as the basics you need. In some situations, the use of floats, leaders, or harnesses is useful for certain fish or techniques.
Hooks
Starting out fishing, you only need a few basic items. A few sizes of hooks, sinkers, and a good line. Beginners do well starting with live bait fishing. A baitholder type of hook is all that is needed in 2-3 sizes. Several companies sell packages of many sizes. These allow you to try different sizes to start. After a few times fishing, you will narrow down the size and type of hooks you need.
Sinkers
The same applies to sinkers. You will need a few sizes. Plus the type needs to be right for the conditions in the water. In a strong current, a non-rolling sinker is what you need. People trout fishing in streams find a split shot works well. Split shot and casting sinkers come in multi-packs for you to have a good variety for different needs.
Line
The line is a critical element in fishing. A good line casts easier, does not create loops, and has better qualities in regard to shock strength and abrasion resistance. The line on combos is low quality. Buy a good quality line to replace the line on a combo before use. Plus, the correct size is important for the best results. The species usually determines the size of the line you will need. Watch a video on how to properly spool the line on your reel. I recommend having a line tensioning tool for putting on the line. Line performs best when the correct tension is applied during spooling of a fresh line.
Finding places to Fish When Starting
People starting to fish tend to make the same mistake. They think fish are everywhere in the waterway. The truth is different, 90 percent of fish are in about 10-15 percent of a waterway. You need to find the right spot. A large amount of a river or lake is void of fish.
- Check State Regulating Agency: These agencies list waterways and types of fish present. Read the regulations as some have special rules.
- Facebook Pages: Most of the better waterways have Facebook groups or pages about the waterway.
- Google Maps: Using this feature will show you waterways. You can zoom in looking for access points on unknown waterways.
As a beginner, a small lake or pond will have an ample population of panfish. Your local parks are a good place to go the first few times. After you get a feel for catching fish. Find places known to have larger fish for more of a challenge.
The issue arises when you want to catch larger fish. The big fish are not as common and seek a better habitat. Take the time to learn about the species you plan on catching. Check your state’s regulating body for fishing. These sites contain information on each species, the best fishing waters, and other helpful tips and information.
Environment
You need to find out what a fish likes in regard to cover, temperature, and other environmental factors. Some fish prefer colder water below 60 degrees. While others like water temperatures in the 70-degree range. You will find out that cold-water fish are easier to catch in the spring and warm-water fish during the summer months. This is one example of the environment affecting fish behavior.
The environment is a crucial aspect of fishing success. All fish use structure and cover for survival along with a good food supply. If one element is missing there will be far fewer or no fish in the area. A beginner needs to learn about cover and structure plus other environmental factors.
This seems daunting to a beginner. The knowledge will take a little time. The best option is to talk to other anglers and mom-and-pop tackle store employees. These people know where to fish. Big stores with a fishing good department do not hire people with fishing knowledge.
When asking an experienced angler about fishing spots. Do not expect them to give up the best spots they know about in the area. Ask for general guidelines for popular locations. You want a spot where you can catch some fish. Finding what is called honey holes is done on your own. These are highly productive spots people do not give up. These spots get ruined if a lot of people find out about the location.
Techniques: How to Catch Fish
Now that you have your equipment and have chosen a location, it’s time to learn some basic fishing techniques.
- Casting: Good casting skills take practice. Focus on accuracy over distance.
- Setting the Hook: Learn when and how to set the hook. Jerking too soon and you miss the fish. If done too late it results in swallowed hooks
- Using Lures: Learn how each lure works and practice the proper technique. Each lure type uses a different technique.
- Learn the Waterways: All waterways are different. Find the structure and cover for success.
Each technique has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to experiment with different techniques to find the one that works best for you.
Tips for Success
- Be patient: Fishing can be a waiting game, so be prepared to spend hours on the water without catching anything.
- Learn about the Fish Species: All fish have habits or tendencies. They prefer different baits or lures, and environments.
- Change your bait or lure: If you’re not getting any bites, try changing your bait or lure.
- Use the right hook: Make sure you’re using the right type or size of hook for how you fish. Hook size is important and in some instances the type.
- Pay attention to the weather: The weather can have a big impact on fishing, so pay attention to the forecast and plan
Conclusions to Starting Fishing
When starting to fish, take the time to research equipment. Equipment is designed for different species and fishing techniques. Understand the terms applying to the rods and reels. Find out what hooks, sinkers, and the line you need for how and what you fish for in your area. Learn about the species of fish and their habitat. Fish seek a habitat that fits their needs.
John McIntyre