No matter the time, fishing is excellent for relaxing with friends and family. It’s easy to learn and inexpensive, plus it gives you another fantastic reason to explore the vast world. Fishing may seem difficult to the beginners, but that doesn’t have to be the problem. With just a bit of right equipment, a fishing license, and the information in this guide, you’ll be able to catch some fish by this weekend on your own. But before stepping on fishing, learn the steps to get started, that will be- basic terms and equipment you’ll need.
If you’re a beginner, buying for fishing gear can be unusual. There are various fishing rods, reels, tackles, and equipment that you can find on the market. They each have unique features for improving the experience, even for the first time.
This fishing guide for beginners mainly covers spin fishing, which uses a rod with a spinning reel and lures or lives bait to attract fish. For beginners, it’s one of the easiest ways to get outside with the least investment and utilize different reels are all options that may interest you down the road.
First-O-First- Get a License:
Check if you have an updated fishing license for the state you’ll be fishing in before heading out. You can get licenses online, at fishing shops and occasionally in convenience stores. The price of a day license is usually less than $20, which is relatively inexpensive.
The specific amount depends on the state and your residency, as fishing licenses cost more for nonresidents. You can buy annual licenses too, which can be a better option for you, typically between $30 and $150. Make sure you bring your permission with you and keep it on you while fishing whenever you go. If you go fishing without a license, it is punishable by fines up to $250 and 15 days in jail.
As some parks and designated areas prohibit fishing, so, make sure the area you choose to fish permits it.
Now that you’ve got your license for fishing let’s go over the basics of the type of gear you’ll want to bring with you on your trip. Of course, it all starts with some essential equipment.
Get the equipment-
- Rod and reel
- Tackle
- Baits
- A bucket
- A sharp knife
- First aid kit
- A small and long-nosed plier or a disgorger
Let’s Start The Basics –
Rod and Reel
It’s best to start with a combination of fishing rod and reel if a beginner. You can buy reels and rods separately, or combo, they’re usually much more comfortable to set up. For adults, you can go for a spinning rod and reel, and for kids, choose a rod and reel combination. Always determine open-faced versions of it, it cast further and is often preferred among experts, while many beginners want close-faced reels, which is wrong.
You can take advice by visiting your local tackle shop or a convenience store that sells fishing equipment about buying a rod and reel that’s right for you. Always choose a rod that fits comfortably into your hand.
Fishing Line
After buying rod and reel, attach the fishing line to your rod and hook up your bait. For beginners, a three or 4lb monofilament fishing line recommended starting. For winding and unwinding your cord, attach the chain to your reel. You will see if your catch has been successful, or if you need to give it another go until you can bring in your fish.
Let me explain the three types in brief-
- Monofilament – this is the best option for beginners. Because of its low cost, difficulty in getting tangled on the reel and tying knots are simple.
- Fluorocarbon – this type is more abrasion-resistant. This type makes it more susceptible to tangling because its less visible to fish than monofilament but much harder, especially if your reel is over-spooled.
- Braided line – it is smaller in diameter than both fluorocarbon and monofilament. It’s stretch resistant, allows you to feel lighter bites, and makes it easier to drive the hook into the fish’s mouth. Therefore, it enables you to put more line on your spool. This type also makes it easier to cast longer distances.
Select Hooks
For beginners, smaller fish would be great to start with, like bluegill. And for this, you’ll want to buy smaller hooks rather than large ones because these fish have little mouths. One essential thing to remember about hook sizes is that the higher the number, the lower the hook.
There are also different type of styles-
- Baitholder Hook – It’s best due to the type of hook it has. It has two barbs on the shank– the long, straight part of the hook helps secure the bait. This style is the best one when using live bait, like worms.
- Circle hooks – The difference with other hooks is that with circle hooks, you do not have to set the hook. They are also friendly with baits, and fish rarely swallow the hook.
- Aberdeen hooks – These hooks tend to work best when fishing for small fish. They have a longer shank and are slimmer from hook to the limb, making it easier to remove the hook from the fish, for beginners, its easy to remove the hook, which makes them easier to use.
Bobbers
Keep it simple when it comes to bobbers. Use smaller bobbers for smaller fish and larger ones for larger fish. A small bobber offers less resistance against the fish and is more sensitive when it bites; you can also see and feel the bite better.
Sinker
For your bait sink correctly, you’ll want to buy some sinkers to attach to your line. However, small lead sinkers under ½-oz can no longer be sold in some states nowadays.
Tacklebox
Tackle boxes come in different shapes and sizes. It depends on the type of fishing you’re doing, like tackling style, the size of fish you are hunting for, and various other factors. If you fish by the shore, small tackle boxes that can fit in your bag are enough. For bank fishing, just bring one small tackle box as it would be easier to carry them than having to drag around a large one. You’ll need to update the tackle box with the relevant fishing tackles for each fishing trip to bring a small box.
Last But Not Least, Best Fishing Baits
Worms
The best and easiest thing about using worms as bait is that you can find yourself without spending. Worms make excellent and inexpensive fishing bait. Most fish can be easy to catch because they cannot resist the lure of delicious bait. So, fishing using worms is one of the most successful techniques used by expert fishers.
Maggots
Using maggots as the fishing baits is one of the most well-known and best baits you can get. They are available from most fishing supplies shops, and they’re usually present in either pints or half-pints. For beginners, we would recommend getting a pint of mixed maggots that made up of different colors, focus more on red, white, and yellow as there are many kinds of them.
Sweetcorn
Using sweetcorn is cheap, and one of the best fishing baits used today. You can catch a variety of different fish because of the taste of the sweetcorn. You can color the sweetcorn to try and attract different fish.
Once you have all of your gear and bait, the last step for fishing as a beginner is casting, which is simple with a little practice.
Follow these steps –
- Hold the rod in that way, so the reel is between your fingers.
- Then use your index finger to hold the line against the rod.
- Open the bail of the reel with your other hand, once the line is secure.
- Now, raise the rod up or to the side and flick the rod using your elbow and wrist, let go of the line about halfway through your motion to cast your path toward the proposed target.
- When your cast is complete, close the bail.
With practice, you’ll be able to do fishing like a pro and be ready to hit the target every time.
Enjoy your Fishing!!
Conclusion –
Care for the caught fish properly if you plan to keep it for dinner. Get them on ice if you’re going to be late to get them cleaned. Fishing is an excellent activity to spend time with your family and friends. It’s the perfect activity to relax and get away from the city. You can bag some fish for dinner too, even beginners after reading this guide. If you’ve never tried fishing before, we assure you it would be great.
