Hello from Crawley.

[Neil-M]

Howdy,

just registered to the forum for help on starting out in the sport.
I'm looking to find out the basics then progress.

I am looking at the coarse fishing side of the sport (perch, roach ect)

I would like to ask some advice on first rod and reel choices for a novice.
I was looking at a rod and reel on amazon and wanted to get views on the setup and to see if it would be ok for what i would need as a novice?

The rod....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abu-Garcia-D.../dp/B004O6LQ22

Seems to be fairly cheap and cheerful, or is it just cheap?



The reel...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shakespeare-...ef=pd_sim_sg_1

Look's nice and blue but is that just to make it sell?


Your thoughts would be of great help,
look forward to the replies.

Ta,

Neil

[dovorian]

Welcome to the forum!
Sorry I cant help on fresh water gear as I fish the sea. Someone will be along to help shortly though.
All the best.
Jason

[LittleFish]

The rod is for spinning and the reel is crap.

[LittleFish]

Do yourself a favour - stay away from Amazon - Google online fishing tackle shops and have a look at what they have to offer.
Also Google coarse fishing and see what kind of tackle you need for your kind of fishing.
If you are targetting general coarse species (Roach,Perch,Bream,etc) I would suggest looking for a "match rod" of 12 to 14 feet in length,coupled with a "match reel" capable of holding at least 150yards of 3 to 4lb line.

[MRG2000]

Welcome to the forum Neil, have a chat with a few of your local tackle dealers ,i'm sure they can point you in the right direction. Speak to several,get a feel for the ones who want to help,and not just sell you everything you dont need.You'll get much more info that way ,miles better than annonymous web sites,and supports your local dealers against the internet sellers.

[LittleFish]

Here you go - this will get you started.

http://www.fishingrepublic.org/produ...ducts_id=20200

http://www.fishingrepublic.org/produ...oducts_id=5362

[Neil-M]

Thanks, for the replies/welcomes.

I know it's a fairly mundane repeated question but just want to get the gear that's required.

I did wonder if amazon stock was a bit like argos etc, so will stay clear, thanks.

Basically around my area there are mainly lakes that stock the usual species.
I'm far to novice at the moment to try out dedicated fishing spot's and would cause more harm than good.

I have a local tackle shop but it seems a tad to commercial and pushy?
Thankfully i have a bit of common sense, so won't be forced into unnecessary purchasing. I will have a good look around and maybe find a good honest store.

Thanks again,

Neil

[chris.oldgit]

hi neil,
wecome to the forum, as littlefish has said,I would suggest a 13' float rod, a fixed spool reel, with extra spools, so you can have different b/s lines on each spool, you can then change the spool to match the conditions you face at different waters.
It is awkward to define exactly what would suit the waters around your area.
most of the people who work in the tackle shops normally belong to local clubs, try going to the shop when its quiet and ask them, friday evening is not a good time, as they are generally very busy with their regular customers, serving baits and tackle to those who know what they want to buy, then having a chat after.

have you any experience at all ?
or are you a complete novice ?

[Neil-M]

Hi Chris,

I can do the very basics to float fishing i'e what shot's for the floats etc...
I will try a quite day as you have suggested it can't hurt.

[chris.oldgit]

as you are probably aware, tackle can be expensive or cheap, when you are ready to purchase rod/reel ask for them to be set up, then you can 'feel' the balance on the rod, when the reel is in situ. try resting the rod over your index finger, about 1" above the reel seat, it should just tip slightly down.

if the rod drops down or raises up its not balanced, look then for a reel heavier/lighter as the case maybe,
when balanced it makes the fishing easier and more enjoyable, to much out of balance will make your wrist ache after fishing a short while.

hope this helps