Noob needs help with fresh water fishing

[leeshamo]

Hello everyone,

I have done sea fishing for years but want to try my hand at this fresh water fishing but im clueless on the laws and where to actually go fishing.
I know i need a rod license and i can ask my local tackle shop on a basic set-up.

But where can i actually go fishing? as my understanding is that most lakes/ponds are privately owned or managed by a fishery which you have to be a member of, I dont really want to join a club and fish round a pond with my fisher price rod and reel and watch others laff at me lol.

Can i just find any fresh water creek/river and fish it or do have to get permission to do this?

Im from clacton on sea essex so if any folks know of where i can cast a line this would be great.

Thanks in advance

Lee

[Robbiethefish]

Hi Lee, you could try the local large drains that run out to sea via a pumping station, these areas are renound for haveing good heads of quality roach plus perch, eels, and small skimmers for some good free sport, A great place to learn how to catch, land, and play fish and you will probably have the place to yourself. Tight lines Rob.

[leeshamo]

Thanks rob ill have a look for that, just concerns me a bit that i might set up somewhere and find out that im not aloud to be there lol.

Do rivers and lakes have signs if you can fish or not?

[Robbiethefish]

Most ponds are private and you will need to buy a day ticket or obtain permission from the owner. As for the drains you will be hard pushed to find a stretch that is private. Rivers: the best stretches will almost certainly be private or club/day ticket waters. Your best bet is to obtain the free FISHING DIRECTORY from the Environment Agency for your area. These are packed with all types of venues with all the info you need. you can pick them up at some tackle shops, or contact the E.A. My copy is 2002 so I hope they still produce them! Tight lines Rob.

[MaggotLover]

Originally Posted by Robbiethefish

Most ponds are private and you will need to buy a day ticket or obtain permission from the owner. As for the drains you will be hard pushed to find a stretch that is private. Rivers: the best stretches will almost certainly be private or club/day ticket waters. Your best bet is to obtain the free FISHING DIRECTORY from the Environment Agency for your area. These are packed with all types of venues with all the info you need. you can pick them up at some tackle shops, or contact the E.A. My copy is 2002 so I hope they still produce them! Tight lines Rob.

here is the link for EA site, you can download the fishing directory for your area.

EA Fishing Directory

edit fixed link

[leeshamo]

Thanks for the help guys, ive found a little place in clacton essex called holland brook its free to fish in certain parts, its not very wide about 12ft and doesnt seem very deep , any pointers as how i should fish this?

[barbelblanker]

My best bit of advise is to find your local tackle dealer and ask them. Needs to be a tackle shop rather than a descathlon type shop though , then at least you've got some chance of getting someone who knows what they are on about. Also worth seeing if there are any clubs nearby too. Best option is if you can find somone who is willing to go with you (especially on early trips). Most anglers don't mind people asking questions, you do need to keep a respectful distance and be very careful about where you put your feet too. Don't bombard people with questions but just be open and honest and you may find someone willing to give you a bit of time.

Don't chase every tip going though, try a couple of methods out and get used to them before trying something else. I know when I began I was so excited I tried to be doing everything at once and it just does not work. Keep asking questions.

[leeshamo]

I went down the brook and caught 3 roach using just floats and maggots great fun, whilst sitting on the bank i was playing with my phone trying to get the radio to work when i noticed my second rod happily sliding down the bank side! (my rods are just laying on the ground at the moment no rod pod) i lifted into the fish and it felt really good weight but i got snagged up and lost it .

Dont know what it was but i do see lots of bubbles coming up in this brook is it just carp that make these bubbles? i tried a ledger system with maggots on the bottom but no joy just roach, do carp eat maggots? or do i need bollies

once again thanks for the replies

[ibstocktackle]

On a river/brook it seems as though you had a chubb! We have a River that can have up to 10lb.

Carp with feed quicker on maggots than anything (in my opinion) if your fish was a carp, better luck next time?