The most important thing that a beginner angler should know is about the equipment they’ll need while fishing. Every angler has a box full of fishing equipment, and every package contains some essential equipment used for fishing. Those necessary fishing equipment are mentioned below:
Fishing rod and reel are essential and most vital equipment to start with. They are used for specific fishing types, but a simple beginner one is the best. Other equipment like line, weights, hook, jigs, hard baits, bobbers, and pliers also come under essential equipment for first-time anglers.
Fishing becomes more manageable and fun if you know the correct way to catch fish and use the right fishing equipment. So, this guide will also help roll your incorrect reel way and make your first time angling a better experience.
11 Essential Equipment For First-time Anglers
Fishing is one of the best activities you can do together with your friends and family. It is undoubtedly other people’s way of relaxing and enjoying. You will surely make fishing your stress reliever once you try it. But of course, as you go to start fishing, there are essential pieces of fishing equipment that you need to bring.
1.Fishing Gear
Go to the nearest fishing store and start choosing the best fishing gear for you because you will see various types of fishing rods, reels, tackles, and other accessories. All of them have their unique characteristics for enhancing your fishing experience. Another tip; do not forget your tackle box.
2.Fishing Rod and Reel
The first item you can see inside a tackle box is a fishing rod and its reel. Fishing rods are slender poles that are very flexible and durable. The materials are typically fiberglass or graphite; it will allow your fishing line to go deeper into the water. Do check its power, bending capability, and taper to easily pick the best fishing rod for you.
Advice: if you are a beginner, choose a fishing rod that’s with medium strength. It will help you to angle different kinds of fish, and you will receive enough response that you want. Also, 11.8 inches or 30 centimeters is the ideal length of a rod or longer than your height. Recommendation: as a first-time angler, you should start or practice fishing in lakes and rivers.
3.Fishing Line
Next on the list is a fishing line. As you buy your new fishing reel, it comes with a roll or two, but of course, do bring your extra. You will find yourself struggling using your spin, and don’t panic. There are plenty of tutorials that you can find on the internet to ease your frustrations.
A tip for beginners, you should start first using the “open face” reels. Open face reel or spinning reel is one of the fishing reels that most people are using.
4.Hooks
The fourth piece of equipment in your tackle box is the hooks. These hooks will be the primary tool to catch fish of different sizes. These hooks will start to poke the fish in their mouth as they come in for a nibble. Hooks have various types such as single, double, circle, and treble.
PRO TIP: For a beginner, you first start with single hooks. Size range is usually from number 32; it’s the smallest up to the largest, 19/0. Learn how to fish without a hook.
5.Bait
Bait is the next piece of equipment you will check because this is what you will attach to the end of your line to catch the fish’s attention. The best option is to use live bait. You have two common and useful options in choosing bait; these are worms and minnows.
Minnows are small freshwater fish but make sure to tie this in a larger hook. You also have another much cheaper option. These are the grubs, corn, smooshed bread, marshmallows, or even bits of hotdogs. Additional information, grubs are soft plastic bait; you may choose twin tailor single tails.
You will see and buy baits in the fishing stores, but for living bait, just like the worms, your backyard is the right place, especially on a dewy night. All you need to do is store them in tin cans with grass and soil and place them in a cold and dim place. Lures is next on our list.
6.Lures
Lures are artificial baits that mimic real fish to attract a predator. Do store it in your tackle box in case you run out of live baits. In choosing lures, pick those that suit the weather and water condition. You can select among soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures.
Soft plastic lures are the most popular. Spinnerbaits in the next lure you should have in your tackle box fishers or anglers use this when the water’s visibility is lower. Last is the topwater lures. You can classify these topwater lures into two those that float and those that are non-floating. Always do practice when it comes to retrieving speeds and depths to find where the fish are staying quickly. We also have bobbers inside the tackle box.
7.Bobbers
Bobbers or floaters help you keep the bait closer to the surface and give you an idea of whether a fish is near your bait. Bobbers will sink when a fish bites your bait, and that will be your signal to pull the reel. You will see designs such as cork in a stick, round red and white plastic, and those with elongated slip bobbers in choosing bobbers.
Avoid buying too large bobbers because smaller bobbers are more responsive. Weights, hooks, and floats are examples of tackles. Tackle is a term for the equipment that the anglers are using. If you want to know how to organize your tackles, dive to the internet, and look for video tutorials or reading guides.
7.Sinkers
Sinkers are another piece of equipment inside your tackle box. Sinkers will help you to stabilize your lightweight hook and result in your bait to sink deeper. Just like most equipment, your sinkers also come in different designs and materials.
8.Needle Nose Pliers and Other Cutting Tools
You will need needle nose pliers as part of your fishing activity because these needle-nose pliers are handy to fix and help you take your hooks out. In buying needle-nose pliers, invest in a stainless steel one. In fishing, you will need line cutters also. A nail clipper and a small knife will do the help, too, because they can fit easily inside your tackle box.
9.Castable Fish Finder
Now that we are in the modern era, technology is highly advance. When they find it hard for anglers to catch a fish, they use this castable fish finder, a sonar device that will help anglers catch fish attention.
This castable fish finder is wireless; you will need to connect it to your smartphones and tablets to monitor and send vibrates underwater using GPS. You will also be aware of the depth and water temperature. This electronic device will indeed make the fishing activity more exciting.
Trying different ways to make your fishing experience unforgettable is always welcome. You can also check out the 20 apps that every angler should have in his smartphone.
10.Sunglasses and Sunscreen
As you start your fishing activity, especially in bright daylight, you will need sunglasses. Wear sunglasses so that you will easily spot where the fishes are. Some sunglasses help you spot the fish quickly and protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. These are polarized sunglasses. Another self-protection equipment that you must have is a sunscreen that does have SPF 70 or more.
11.First Aid Kit and Tackle Box
Do check your tackle box for a first aid kit. Safe and fun fishing adventures are what we all want. If there is an accident, we can easily pullout some band-aids, small bandages, small alcohol, medical tape, and even antibacterial ointments.
The Basics Of Fishing
Fishing is not as complicated as you think it is. It is like playing a yo-yo, where you often play with its tie to balance the momentum. You even make variations of tricks that form different shapes of shapes to embellish it. But in terms of fishing, there are no intricate and fancy tricks needed to catch a fish.
Anglers commonly use it in recreational fishing or sports fishing. Yes, fishing is also a sport, and it is indeed underrated. Fisher is a fisherman type that uses the technique’ angle,’ rooting from its word itself. Let me give you the basics of fishing.
Learn Proper Handling
The handle is one of the most critical parts of a spinning reel. It gives you overall control over the fishing reel. It is suitable for beginners to try using two hands because there is no rule inhibiting someone holding a fishing reel with both hands. If you are yet starting to get the hang of the grip, you might experience unbalanced tension.
In order to alleviate the unnecessary movements of the reel, there is a feature called Anti-reverse Levers that prevents the handle while you are retrieving the fish that you just caught. Frequently, there is a rubber attached to a handle to prevent the fishing reel from slipping out. Now, if your reel has no rubber grip, you can improvise by just attaching a substitute rubber on the handle, or a cloth, perhaps.
Practice Your Casting
The next skill is Casting. It is an intuitive act in fishing. It is like throwing a baseball. The distance should be six inches of the line out the end of the rod. Now, you can cast your bait using your wrist and elbow. Note the direction of the eye in the order of the bait. It is why vision and hand coordination are very important if you want to land your bait in your desired place successfully.
Reading Water
Reading the water means having the ability to assess the place where you think you would catch more fish. The initial step is to start observing. Reading the water does not necessarily focus on the water itself, but also your actions. Try not to make too much movement before you decide to cast your fishing rod.
When you see even the slightest move of the fish underwater, it tells you that it is where you should start, making it time-efficient. Also, an excellent tip to help with this one is to know that when water currents exist, fishes often look for places they can hold on against it and let the fast flow of the water be the medium for their food to get to them.
This also includes observing the surroundings the water has. When fishing, try to avoid places that do not have a little cover from the sun, for it is most likely that little to no fish are residing there. Instead, what to do is to look for rocks and bushes that surround the water because these are places fish love to stay at.
Proper Way Of Hooking
You have to accurately hook into the fish’s mouth once it gets baited. It is also essential to prevent the breakage of the fish’ lip. Here comes the function of Drag Adjustment Knob. The smaller the fish, the lighter the drag; the larger the fish, the harder the drag.
Getting a License
You might be asking, why does fishing require a license? Isn’t it an outdoor activity that anyone has the right to do regardless if they have permission or not? The story of how the idea of issuing a fishing license came about has a very long history to it.
While it is indeed true that it is not prohibited to fish without a permit during old times. That just about anyone capable can do it, there are valid reasons for this. We are informed that as the population of humans increases, natural resources will decrease.
Now that you know the reason why you need to have a license, the question is, how are you going to get one? Check out how you can get a fishing license online. Otherwise, you can get arrested without it.
Where Should You Go Fishing?
The next step to having your license is thinking of where to fish. While there are various places you can fish from, it still comes down to what kind of fish you want to catch. Different types of fish reside in other areas, depending on how well a place serves as a habitat.
For a rookie who is just starting to discover the beauty of fishing, we can disregard the kind of fish you would want to catch first. A school of fish often like to stay in shallow coves, so as long as you find a place with coves, you can try fishing from it. Other sites you may want to fish from our docks and piers.
Fishing Etiquette
Before you start your fishing experience, you need to know the proper etiquette first. Like how almost all things have their etiquette, of course, it is not a surprise that fishing also has its own.
Be Respectful To Other Anglers
This one goes without saying but always be respectful and kind not only to the people who are fishing with you but also to the place where you choose to fish. Be mindful of your actions. Please think of the consequences it may have on those people around you.
Simply put, do not burden those who also want to fish and do not cause a problem to the place you are in. Every fishing establishment has its own set of rules and regulations for fishing, so the first thing to do is to check it out to avoid violations immediately.
Always keep in mind not to make waves in the water, or if you think that it is impossible not to make waves when fishing, at least try not to make too much. Why? It will scare the fish away and cause trouble to those who are giving their all to catch a fish.
It can disrupt their concentration and focus, and who knows if they are trying to fish for hours already? You wouldn’t like that to happen as well. So always practice consideration and remember, “Do not do unto others what you do not want to do unto you.”
Never Leave Any Marks And Mess After Fishing
Going fishing can sometimes get messy, although this goes without saying and making a mental note of cleaning after yourself. If you do not like cleaning to start with, try not to make a mess or throw trash. As someone who fishes, you should be thankful that the environment offers this kind of gem.
Taking care of it is one way of showing your respect and gratitude towards mother nature. Remember, cleanliness is the key. I am sure you also wouldn’t like to fish in such an untidy area, so do your best to keep the place neat and your equipment and boats
Catching Your First Fish
Okay, all that is left to do now that you are all set is to catch your very first fish. These include several processes, and the level of mastery of each makes a huge difference in raising your chances of catching a fish. But just because you are a beginner does not mean you will not be able to see one. Do not let this idea stop you before you can even begin.
- First, choose the bait you are going to use. There are types of fishing baits, but the most often used are worms.
- Second, learn how to set the hook. Knowing how to fix it creates an impact on the number of fish you can catch.
- Third, learn how to cast. Remember to always keep a distance from the place you want to throw your bait to have the higher assurance of catching a fish. When you feel like a fish has bit the bait, it is now time to reel it in. Most of us think that once you have reeled your fish in, it’s the last step, but knowing how to land your catch is the most important. Landing your fish safely once you have caught it is what concludes it most of the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fishing for the first is an activity that needs a lot of preparation. It should always require basic knowledge about general fishing and how fishing should be done. Also, you should know about the dangers of the body of water that you are about to go and know what you need as a first-time fisher.
What should be in a beginner tackle box?
Fishing for the first is an activity that needs a lot of preparation. It should always require basic knowledge about general fishing and how fishing should be done. Also, you should know about the dangers of the body of water that you are about to go and know what you need as a first-time fisher.
The Tacklebox is a hand-carry box made for anglers. The well-designed tackle box requires a number of compartments to store multiple items and to arrange your bait, hooks, line, and equipment in several ways. Anything will easily be achieved with a good tackle box. You don’t spend time sorting and looking if you could be fishing. There are several things that you should put inside your tackle box. Especially those must-haves.
- Spare fishing lines
- Lures
- Floaters
- Swivels, to avoid twisting of fishing lines
- Weights
- Various hook sizes (for different types of fish)
- Needle nose pliers to assist with removing fish hooks
- Stringer (useful to hold all the fishes you caught)
- Knife (such as a Swiss Army knife) (such as a Swiss Army knife)
- Ruler
- Torchlight
- First Aid Kits (with basics just in case a hook gets stuck in your thumb) (with basics just in case a hook gets stuck in your thumb)
- Repellents
What do I need for first time fishing?
For first-timers, fishing may be a difficult hobby to pursue. But it’s actually not. You just need some valid documents before you could go fish legally and some equipment to pursue it. Then once you’re all done, you can go fish anytime and gather experiences based on the knowledge you got from your research. Here is the list of things you need for the first time.
- Fishing license – licenses for fishing are typically inexpensive but you need them as a requirement to meet the needs of the state where you want to fish.
- Etiquette – it’s important to know the etiquette of fishing to avoid problems.
- Your tools – you should ready out all the tools you’ll need like tackle box and fishing rod.
- Knowing useful basic skills – in fishing, you need to know how to knot, cast, and read the water. It’s important to learn through experience but reading beforehand is useful for first-hand knowledge.
What does Every fisherman need?
The Tacklebox or the fishing box is a hand-carry box made for anglers. The well-designed tackle box requires several compartments to store multiple items and to arrange your bait, hooks, line, and equipment in several ways. You will quickly achieve anything with the right tackle box. You don’t spend time sorting and looking if you could be fishing. There are a lot of things that you should put inside your tackle box. Especially those must-haves.
- Spare fishing lines
- Lures
- Floaters
- Swivels, to avoid twisting of fishing lines
- Weights
- Various hook sizes (for different types of fish)
- Needle nose pliers to assist with removing fishhooks
- Stringer (useful to hold all the fishes you caught)
- Knife (such as a Swiss Army knife) (such as a Swiss Army knife)
- Ruler
- Torchlight
- First Aid Kits (with basics just in case a hook gets stuck in your thumb) (with basics only in case a theme gets stuck in your thumb)
- Repellents
Conclusion
They always say that the first time is the best. The feeling of excitement when you buy all the equipment that you need and apply all the learnings you learned from all your research. Even watching videos from the experts you watched that you hoped to apply on that day of your first day.
Being prepared and guided is the best when starting out a fishing hobby. With all that said, still experience is the best mentor to learn new things.