How To Get Started: Fishing For Beginners
In this article, I’ve provided an overview of my initial steps into the world of Angling. My objective is to offer you a transparent insight into how I suggest you start you’re Fishing journey, irrespective of the fishing style you may choose later on. While this primarily draws from my personal experiences, it’s reasonable to assume that even seasoned fishermen would find common ground with some of the aspects discussed within this article.
Fishing License
First things first, you will need a fishing licence. This can be purchased on the Government website by simply typing in Google (How To Buy A Fishing Licence). There are different types types and durations that you can buy from a 1-day to a 1 years licence depending on how many times you aim to go fishing.
The GOV.UK website is where you will purchase a fishing license if you are living within England or Wales. If you live in another country, then you will want to purchase through your own government website or local resources. In all cases, be sure to read through the information on your government website thoroughly, as it’s crucial you have the correct licence for your needs.
Please have a valid licence in place before even considering going fishing as being caught without one can result in hefty fines of up to (£1000 in the UK) and also confiscation of any fishing tackle you have with you on the venue. Fishing Tackle can be taken on the spot, so for the sake of a relatively small sum, I highly recommend this is the first thing that you do.
Underneath you will find a chart showing you all the information needed regarding pricing for fishing licences in the UK, this is 100% accurate on the day of writing this article but can be subject to change, so please check the GOV.UK website for updated pricing.
Where To Fish
Rules & Regulations
Finding a place to go fishing is not a hard task in all honesty. Ideal fishing spots and venues can be found relatively easily by a quick Google search or my favourite (Google Maps). Here you will have places pop up with all the relevant information needed.
Some venues will have an actual website where you can see what amenities they have along with their rules and regulations. Be sure to read these before turning up at a privately owned venue as the rules will differ depending on the venue. These rules will range from maximum hook sizes to fish safety and etiquette, these are very important to follow.
Choosing a venue
I would recommend when searching for places to fish, you start by looking for smaller commercial lakes in your area. There is a good chance that you will be able to find one within at least 10-15 minutes away from your home or sometimes even closer.
If you do happen to have one close by, then I would not put too much thought into whether it is the best place to fish or if it has the biggest fish to be caught. The idea would be to find somewhere that is very convenient so that you can visit more regularly to perfect your skills and knowledge like Casting Accuracy and Rig presentation.
To add to the idea of finding somewhere convenient, it might also be worth noting that if you are planning on fishing mostly on weekends, then try to find somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of match fishing on the weekends, as this may prevent you from pleasure fishing over the weekends on certain lakes of your preference.
Again, this information can sometimes be found on venues which have websites, but if not, try calling the venue instead to check this before you go. Do not let this discourage you though as there are many great places to fish, not to mention Rivers, Canals and other waterways.
What Species To Target
When I initially began, I observed that many individuals would inquire, “What are you fishing for?” They were essentially asking about the specific species of fish I was trying to catch. At that point, I didn’t have a definite answer to this question because, truthfully, I was just hoping to reel in anything at that time. I wasn’t aware that particular fishing methods were tailored for specific types of fish, along with the nuances of baits and rigs.
If you’re diving into this article as a newcomer to fishing, seeking insights, I’d suggest focusing less on the specific fish you aim to catch and more on the joy of catching fish itself. Starting out can feel a bit overwhelming when you think about the various bits of gear and tackle options that are available, not to mention the diverse range of baits and end tackle you can use. So, start simple with the use of method feeders or float fishing with small hooks and bait.
Starting small and simple will give you the chance to at least catch something whether that be small silver fish like Roach or Skimmers (Small Bream). You never know, you could also catch a great big Carp along the way. My main point here is, that to keep motivated through the initial learning curves, it’s best to give yourself the best chances of consistent catching before moving forward with more complicated methods of angling that require more time and patience.
Below is a list of some Fish you might come across while embarking on your fishing journey
- Carp
- Perch
- Bream
- Tench
- Barbell
- Chubb
What Fishing Tackle Do You Need?
The Answer to this question is more simple than you may think, or at least it was for me. Let me first say that having a family member or friend you can speak to who has prior fishing experience is always going to be one of your best options. Still, in some cases, this can also lead to you going out and buying unnecessary tackle or the wrong tackle. This is why below I have written about my accounts in terms of fishing kit and what helped me to get started.
Rods
When you’re on the hunt for your first fishing rod, keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better. Especially if you’re starting on small lakes, I’d suggest going for a shorter rod, like a 10-foot or less, depending on your age and other factors. Personally shorter rods are more convenient when fishing small to medium size lakes. I typically use a 9ft Feeder rod for Silver fishing, or an 8ft Sonik Xtractor Recons for Carp fishing when on smaller venues.
When it comes to rods there are a few nuances that you will want to understand when it comes to picking the right one for you. To help with this, I have listed some pages from Lake Amenity that will help you a bunch with finding the right rod.
From Feeder Rods to Carp Rods
In my fishing journey, I began with a single feeder rod. Its light and highly flexible tip, also known as a quiver tip, serves as a built-in bite indicator. When a fish is hooked, the end of the rod would bends and stays bent, signalling me to pick up the rod and start playing the fish.
As I gained experience and confidence with one rod, I eventually moved to a two-rod setup on the bank to increase my chances of catching. However, I strongly recommend starting with just one rod initially so you can fully focus on getting the hang of things.
I began with feeder rods and eventually transitioned to predominantly using carp rods, aiming to target those larger fish. Once I had caught my fair share of smaller species and turned to predominantly carp fishing, that’s when I started investing in higher-end tackle. I wanted to ensure that I had enough experience to make the most out of my gear.
That being said, the decision of where to begin with your rod choice is entirely yours. Ultimately, it boils down to the specific type of fishing you engage in.
Reels
Selecting the appropriate reel is closely tied to the type of rod you’re using. Factors such as line capacity and specific reel features, like bait runner systems, are things to consider. External factors also play a role, in terms of short or long-distance fishing and the size of the fish you are targeting. Not having the right kit can sometimes come with its disadvantages.
While I believe having the right setup is important, I also think that it shouldn’t be overthought in the early stages. choosing a reel between 2500 and 5000 in size should cover all bases when fishing on small to medium-sized venues, including Rivers and other waters when targeting all kinds of species.
Starting Off
My initial fishing reel was the Shimano 2500 Baitrunner ST FB Reel. It turned out to be an ideal choice for a beginner like me. I have to admit, it’s not the most budget-friendly reel out there, but its top-notch quality speaks for itself. Shimano’s longstanding presence in the industry, dating back many years, adds to its reliability. They were the pioneers, introducing the Baitrunner system into reels in 1987.
I won’t delve too deeply into the Baitrunner details here, but it’s something worth exploring, especially as it proved beneficial in my early stages. If you’re on the lookout for a decent reel, you should be able to find one in the £25 to £50 range for something reliable.
Reel Size
The size of the Reel in some cases will matter substantially, but starting on small commercials, I would go for a size 2500 like the one mentioned above or maybe a size 4000 for that little extra power when playing a larger fish, but, I will have you know that my biggest fish to date using the 2500 Reel was a 19.0lbs Common Carp and had absolutely no issues landing the fish with a 2500 reel, so do not think that you need a massive reel to catch decent size fish, it’s just not the case.
For an experienced angler, landing a 19lb carp might not seem like a major achievement, but it highlights the potential for newcomers when it comes to fishing gear, such as reels. Keep in mind that numerous fishing shops are ready to assist you in-store, like Angling Direct and Fishing Republic to name a few. Below I have also listed some related pages that might help you when it comes to reels.
Rigs
A rig is the arrangement you attach to your mainline to catch fish, also known as end tackle or terminal tackle. The way you set up your rig depends on the types of waters you fish and the species you’re targeting.
Here are the methods I initially used, as mentioned earlier. They were effective for catching carp, tench, and silverfish, and they’re easy to assemble with minimal tackle. For more information on carp fishing rigs, check out our Tips & Information page at Lake Amenity.
Method Feeder
My personal preference is the use of a Method Feeder, this way is very simple to set up for beginners and only requires the below components.
- Method Feeder (vary in shapes and sizes)
- Quick Release beads
- 4″ or 6″ Hook Length (Start with size 12 to 16 hooks)
This is all you need for your method feeder setup and you’re good to go, plus it only consists of making 1 knot on the line, using a Half Blood Knot or an Over Hand Loop Knot and attaching the mainline to the quick-release bead and that’s it.
Quick Release Bead
Video By Coarse Fishing Knots
Quick Tip: When buying ready-made rigs make sure that the breaking strain is less than the breaking strain of your mainline. Breaking strain means how much weight/load the line can handle before breaking.
Float Fishing
Opting for a Float presents an uncomplicated arrangement requiring minimal end tackle. To establish this rig at a fundamental level, consider including the following essential components. While there are alternative approaches to a float setup, having these basic elements will kickstart your setup:
- Waggler Float
- Stops Pellet Wagler Kit
- Weight Shots
- Hook lengths and your preferred hook size (ideally 14 to 18)
- 10g Plummet (for determining water depth)
This basic waggler float setup illustrates that you don’t need an extensive array of equipment. It’s a fantastic method to start reeling in some fish. Always be open to experimenting with new techniques each time you venture out, discovering what yields the best results on the day.
Other Bits Of Tackle That You Need
With your primary components in hand for rod setup, let’s check out the additional tackle bits to kick things off. Keep in mind, that not all of these may be necessary; they’re just what I initially used to make my day-ticket fishing experience more comfortable.
- Mainline ( For your Reel, no more than 12lb line to start with)
- Fishing Chair
- Basic Tackle Accessories (Scissors, Baiting Needles, Hook Disgorges, Catapult)
- Landing Net (MUST HAVE for safely bringing the Fish from the waters to the unhooking mat)
- Unhooking Mat (MUST HAVE to keep the fishing comfortable and free from harm whilst unhooking)
- Bait Tubs ( For mixing and storing baits)
- Fishing Umbrella (Not Mandatory but ideal for when the rain comes)
- End Tackle (Leads, Feeders, Floats, Hook lengths, Hooks etc)
This should pretty much have you covered. Keep in mind, some of these things you might already have at home, items like plastic tubs and suitable chairs, so no need to buy if you can manage with what you’ve got. I’ll delve into the specific uses of a few items in other posts, but overall, you shouldn’t have much trouble understanding how to use 90% of the kit mentioned above.
Baits
In today’s world, there’s a wide variety of baits available. In the Baits Post, I go into more detail regarding a few of the more commonly used ones by anglers. It’s not as straightforward as using anything as bait because some work while others don’t. What I’ll share with you is precisely what I’ve been using for the methods discussed earlier in this article.
Method Feeder
For this, I usually go for 1mm or 2mm Sticky method pellets. After soaking them in water for about a minute, they reach the right consistency to stick to the method feeder. This creates a neatly presented heap of bait on the lake bottom for the fish to feed on. On the banded hook length, I also use a couple of maggots, sweetcorn, or 8mm wafters or 6mm Pellet depending on the hook size.
This approach has worked well for me, especially during the summer months when the fish are in a feeding frenzy. If you’re primarily day-ticket fishing, a 1kg bag of pellets, one bag of frozen sweetcorn, and half a pint of maggots should suffice for a day’s fishing with two rods. It’s quite budget-friendly, costing around £6 to £7 in total for the bait.
You can even make it cheaper if that’s a bit much for you. Fishing doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby—it’s really up to you. Just avoid going overboard with buying more than you need. Nonetheless, always explore new baits to find what works.
Float Fishing
When it comes to Float Fishing, you typically use less bait since you’re mainly adding bait directly to the hook, such as maggots and sweetcorn. For the swim or area you plan to fish, you can use Pellets, ground bait, sweetcorn, or any other bait of your choice.
As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide array of baits to choose from, and opinions on what works best can vary. Feel free to delve into further research on this topic, as it can be a substantial learning experience on its own.
Keep in mind that just because some people have their preferences, it doesn’t necessarily mean those methods will work for you. So, go out there, and experiment with different fishing approaches, baits, and techniques to discover what works best for you.
Conclusion
That wraps things up for now. I trust I’ve provided you with enough information to kickstart your lake fishing adventure. I’ll be delving into more specific topics as I continue exploring Lake Amenity, so drop a comment below if there’s anything you’d like to hear more about. Thanks, and hopefully, we’ll meet again soon.
Martin@Lake Amenity.com
