What You Need To Start Fishing
Fishing has new Fishermen getting into the sport all the time. Each person has their own reason for wanting to pickup a rod and reel and go fishing. However, each year, numerouspeople go out and beg, borrow or steal their first fishing tackle and rod in hopes of bringing home a boatload of tasty fish.
Below is an easy to follow list of basic fishing gear you'll need to start fishing right away. You won't need expensive or complicated gear to catch a fish. It's no secret that fishing tackle companies turn out fishing tackle to catch the Fishermen's eye instead of fish. The Rods and Reels I used to catch fish many years ago still catch fish today. Just as good or better than the tackle that they try and sell you nowadays.
Tackle to catch Fish doesn't have to be overly complicated. Simple set-ups work best for any fish. This point was driven home many years ago when a Buddy and I went Bass fishing on a popular lake. The weather was hot that day, even for June. We stopped fishing somewhere aroun twelve o'clock and was standing around after loading the boat when this Old Man and 2 kids came in from fishing.
When they got out, they had a huge stringer of Black Bass. The biggest one was 6 and a half pounds and none were under 2 pounds. Seeing how my Buddy and I had been using the latest equipment on the market along with the latest lures and presentation, I just had to know this Old Man's secret to catching Bass. The Old Man smiled and showed me his Minnow bucket and said "Why we were using Bass Minnows and Worms"! I also couldn't keep from noticing their very simplistic rod and reels. They had out fished a couple local Pro's with simple bait and rod and reel set-ups!
The basic fishing equipment you'll want to start catching Bass or any other fish is a Rod and Reel, line and bait. That's all there is to it. As for rods and reels, your local sporting goods store or Wal-Mart has everything you need to to put fish on the stringer. I'd suggest a Rod and Reel combo like the Zebco 33 and a matching rod. Don't overlook the Internet if you want to save even more.
Level wind reels are not good fishing reels to begin with. They can be difficult for beginners to use and are pricey. Spinning reels are not as difficult to use, but you do need to know how to properly cast one or you'll end up with a mess on your hands.
Next on your fishing tackle list comes the type of line you'll be using. If you bought a rod and reel combo, chances are it came with line already on it. If not, or you want to change the line, then I'd suggest a 10lb line from either Stren or Trilene. Don't fall for the marketing hype that you need expensive line. Trilene and Stren is good line and all that one needs.
Now we're turn our attention to bait selection for the beginner. Start with live bait and work your way up to artificials. Again, ignore the marketing hype. Live bait catches more and bigger fish day in and day out than artificial lures do. When you're in the Fishing Dept. of your favorite store, look for Eagle Claw live bait hooks in the 1/0 to 3/0 sizes and get a few packs. Next try and find some weights. You can generally find the ones that come several sizes to a package. Split shot is a great weight for beginners. Next, check out the floats. I like to use the Balsa wood floats. I use the slip floats. These slide up and down the line for easy adjustment. They're held in place at the top by a knot or bobber stop. You can now get out on your favorite body of water and start fishing!
That's your basic list you'll need to start fishing. All total, this should cost less than a hundred bucks. The fishing companies have made it seem like catching a Bass is nearly impossible unless you're using the latest and greatest gear on the Market. Nothing could be further from the truth. Catching a mess of fish couldn't be easier, that is, if they cooperate!