Getting Started Fishing

[wvglockguy]

I've recently had the urge to start fishing a little. I'll be the first to admit, I know very little about it. 

 

1. What gear is essential for just some occasional fishing?

- pole

- tackle

- tools

2. I'll check local and state regulations before I start, but is there anything in particular I need to know about?

 

Any other pointers, tips, suggestions will be greatly appreciated. 

 

[Troutburger]

What are you looking to catch?

Are you lake, river, or pond fishing? 

From the bank or a boat? 

 

#1 piece of gear, your fishing license. 

 

Its hard to beat a 6.5' spinning rod with 6lb line. Hook, sinker, bobber & a dozen night crawlers.

[felinesNfreedom]

I don't know what you are looking to catch but I will tell you that a all around great way to catch fish is with a trout magnet. 6'+ light action rod, 4lb test line and a Trout magnet will catch about anything. I use one to catch crappie and bluegill but it will catch about anything. I have caught multiple catfish and large mouth also. I work mine under one of their TM floats. Depending on the depth of the water you just adjust the float to the right depth throw it to the area and twitch it. The Trout magnet website has a bunch of good info. I belong to another forum that is a fishing forum and there is a wealth of knowledge on it also.

[Omega]

Just go to walmart and get an ugly stick with reel, season is about over so they may not have many selections but maybe.  Then get a panfish kit, it will have most of what you need to get started.  Get the regs, and make sure you check to see if your fishing hole has any specific regs for it; many have signs posted if there is specific limits and such.

[peejman]

What are you looking to catch?

Are you lake, river, or pond fishing? 

From the bank or a boat? 

 

#1 piece of gear, your fishing license. 

 

Its hard to beat a 6.5' spinning rod with 6lb line. Hook, sinker, bobber & a dozen night crawlers.

 

 

Yep. 

 

I was in the same boat about a year ago.  My boys said they wanted to go fishing.  While I had fished when I was a kid, I didn't even own a fishing pole.  I chatted with a few coworkers who are avid fishermen and follow their advice.  One trip to the sporting goods store, 4 fishing poles, a tackle box kit, a few extra goodies, and a few worms later....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're going after a specific type of fish, lets just say the options are nearly endless. 

[JPS]

I have a LOT of fishing equipment I've gathered though the years, but when I go fising now I throw a couple of cheap combo poles, some hooks, sinkers, and a few bobbers into a 5 gal bucket and head to the lake with some worms or frozen chicken livers.  For me, everything else is just more to carry and not use.

(Chicken livers are great for catfish - just wrap them in one of those sock-things you get at the shoe store if you don't have socks.)

[Peace]

also - check out:

 

http://www.myfishingforecast.net  (solunar calendar)

 

It really is as simple as a good spot + worms or minnows on a hook = :)

 

I talked to a guy yesterday who was catching crappie at 14inches in about 3-6 feet of water - on night crawlers.

 

... of course, I was fishing for Bass.  

[wvglockguy]

I appreciate all the replies so far. I do already have my hunting/fishing license. Guess I've been overthinking the whole thing. Hopefully I can get a few things picked up in the next week or so. 

 

As far as licenses go, other than a fishing license will I need anything else? I have heard there is a need for additional license for certain fish. Most likely, I'll be some place like Norris or a couple local rivers. 

[felinesNfreedom]

Trout stamps for trout fishing, that should be it unless the body of water you are fishing requires it. I don't think Norris has anything special like that.

[enfield]

#1 thing to remember - there are fish everywhere, except for the Dead Sea and Great Salt Lake (and maybe Lake Norman, NC).   If they're not biting the problem is you.