starter advice

[josh167]

Hi all,

(thought this should go in this section)

I'm brand new to fishing and haven't bought any gear yet. I would really like to give it a go so I've been thinking about getting myself a cheap starter kit to get going, this way if it's a success I can quickly upgrade!

I haven't been yet but I'm leaning towards Coarse fishing even though I live so close to the Sea (I'm on the Wirral). Sound like a good idea?

I've seen a starter kit on ebay which looks like a good place to start to me...but I'd love the opinion of somebody who knows even the slightest bit about fishing!

The kit is on £25 and includes...
Telescopic 4m Fishing Rod And Match Reel + Line

Lineaeffe CarbonTelescopic Rod
4m Rod.Fixed reel seat
Lined Guides.4 Sections

Vigor Rear Drag Reel
Long cast spool
Multi Disc Drag
Anti-Twist System
Balanced left-right handle.
Gear Ratio: 5.5:1

Also included in this ideal starter kit is the following:

Folding Landing Net with handle
1 x Packet size 16 Hooks
3 x Crystal Waggler Floats
1 x tub shot,
1 x Bank Stick
1 x Rod Rest
1 x Disgorger
1 spool line
1 x Catapult

Now I know this gear cant be great but does it sound good for an absolute beginner like me???

Thanks for any help!

[Banana Steve]

I understand the need for a cheap starter kit, as we all have to start somewhere. But kits like these tend to be false economy, as the kit is normally very poor quality. My advice is to go to your local tackle shop and talk to them, they will offer you best deals and good advice. I would always advocate going with an experienced angler to show you the basics and how to start to learn your watercraft. This will help in you not going again because you didn’t catch etc. Ask at your local tackle is there someone willing to go with you who can help with learning, from past experience I have taught a few people how to enjoy their first trip and this gave them the motivation to continue to fish rather than giving up. If you are taught well you will stick to this hobby for the rest of your life, and you to will end up passing on your experience.

[josh167]

Thanks a lot for the advice. I might pop down to my local tackle shop, I guess I'd end up paying abound £50 for a starter kit from them but as you said, I'm sure the quality would be a lot better.

Can you tell me anything about what type of fish I'd be likely to expect in fisheries?
And also, would I need another rod etc for carp fishing? Is there a big difference?!

Sorry for being so dumb with it all but it's a bit overwhelming! Haha

Cheers

[Banana Steve]

Hi, if you were to specialise in carp fishing then I would recommend getting yourself some carp rods. But if you want to start of with general fishing then I would look at a good float rod and reel. Drennan do a float rod and reel know as the red series, and to be honest you couldn’t go far wrong with Drennan rod and they will handle most fish.

To learn your craft I would be looking to catch Roach, Bream, Rudd etc and if you find a small commercial fishery you could look to target smaller carp up to 5lb in weight.

What part of the country are you from?

There is a magazine call improve your coarse fishing, well worth looking at each month

[josh167]

So I take it the main difference in general fishing and carp fishing is the strength of the rod? Are most carp bigger than the few you mentioned?

I live in Wallasey in the north-west. And there's plenty of fisheries close by.

I reckon I'll do what you said and ask in my tackle shop what hes got then. I popped in the other day and he said if I get a starter kit from him it won't be 'like one from argos'. He said it'll be a decent rod with a cork handle etc. I'm sure he'll advise me too but what do I need to look for in terms of rod length? What's important?

Thanks again!

[Banana Steve]

Hi Josh, for general fishing i would look for around 12ft to 13ft. That is the Normal lengths any shorter and the rod can become very stiff and any longer tend to be more a specialised rod. What you need is a rod that has a tip to through action, That means that when you hook a small fish the tip will be the part of the rod that bends and allows you to play the fish, but if you hook into a good fish the rod will responde by starting to bend through out the rod. a through action rod tends to good for bigger fish.

A good thing to do is have a look around carboot sales you will be amazed what you can get and good prices, for example i bought a 16mtr pole and a Tench rod +2 reels for £60.00 so the bargins are out there. and if your not certain don't buy it.

Question is there anyone from the North west who could take Josh out for a days fishing to guide him in the rightway?


Regards, Steve

[dave fish]

i live in the north west where abouts are you near i live on the yorkshire/lancashire border near burnley
if your anywhere near we can organise a trip or summat would be happy to show you the ropes