OK, please school me on fishing

[silversnake]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at getting a little bit into fishing and need to learn where/how to start.

Way back when I was a kid (that's a few decades ago) I went fishing from time to time with my father or with the Cub Scout troop (told you it was a long time ago) but I haven't had a chance or much interest since middle school. Back then, it was a cheap rod and reel cast from the bank of a slow-moving stream or pond and we'd get mostly sun fish and such and it was all catch and release. This spring, my wife and I have been taking walks around a local pond and there's quite a few guys out there fishing and not only do they seem to be actually catching stuff (though I wouldn't eat it) but it looks very relaxing and enjoyable such that I've thought about trying my hand again. The "I could get protein for my family in a pinch" factor is a secondary consideration but still an incentive.

So, I'm not looking to go fly fishing or become a deep sea angler, but I'd like to put together the tools to drop a line in a pond or stream and have a better than 0% chance of catching something other than a tree branch. Does anyone have recommendations or advice for me on the following:

1. Not too expensive set of gear that's also not just "tie a string to a stick". I'm willing to spend some bucks at Target or Wall Mart but I'm not sure I'm ready or interested in dropping several hundred dollars at once at a Bass Pro Shop.

2. Advice on techniques and practice of actually catching something. I know there's more skill involved than just putting a worm on a hook and letting it hang in the water, but I don't know where to begin to separate the sound advice from the superstition and fish stories and I'm not ready to get my PhD in fishing either.

3. References and resources online that would be useful.

4. I've never cleaned a fish myself, but I would one day like to catch my dinner while out camping, so advice and references in this area (so I don't slit my wrists trying to gut a fish) would be helpful as well.


Thanks in advance.

[Jonadz]

Honestly there are so many different techniques and theories when it comes to fisherman and their ways it's worse than talking trucks and beer lol. Being an avid fisherman the best advice you can get comes from the guy standing next to you on the bank! Get some gear, go out and make friends! Most fisherman have NO PROBLEM talking your ear off, and as with most situations, the "old timers" always have the best advice and stories to go with them! As for gear, I've spent way to much money over the years and some of the best fish I've landed were with some of the worse gear? Hit eBay up and look for fishing tackle lots.... Some great catches I've seen, $400 worth of lures and tackle for $50.... And it usually came from an "old timer". As for rod and reel, a nice 5/6ft Shakespeare Ugly stick with reel included (usually a decent mid grade company) isnt going to burn a hole in your wallet and will last years .... And years!

[Caenus]

I am an avid fisherman too. As far as Wally World vs Bass Pro...well I always buy ugly sticks because they are cheap and built like tanks. I bought a third one last year at bass pro and was looking for a bait aster to top it off. Guy at the bass pro counter refused to "let" me but a nicer bait caster to "waste" it on an ugly stick...what a douche.

You can get better combos at Bass pro for a pretty good price, but for starting out, assuming you are looking at panfish/bass fishing with some cat fishing thrown in, Wally world will do.

I'd second the 6 1/2 ish rod with a spincast reel. They are easier to learn without having to set the reel up for different bait.

Get one of the all in one kits to get started, or learn how to Texas rig some power worms. In AZ I catch bass all day with a Texas rig.

If you want to throw a few lures together, IMO the basic essentials for bass are:

Spin bait
Artificial worms
Swim bait

Stay way from gimmicky stuff like the banjo minnow.

Read through: www.bassresource.com

Lots of good info there on everything from tactics to tying knots.

Remember, in a non life sustaining scenario...fishing is relaxing and fun...just keep a close eye on your wallet!

[Caenus]

Also, if legal in your area, frozen corn will put fish on the stringer! And carp don't taste too bad and are generally very large and could feed a family for a day or two.

[NamelessStain]

Also, if legal in your area, frozen corn will put fish on the stringer! And carp don't taste too bad and are generally very large and could feed a family for a day or two.

I had a friend who use to make smoked carp that tasted better than smoked salmon. /drool

[silversnake]

Thanks everyone for advice so far. Please keep it coming. To specific points:

I'd second the 6 1/2 ish rod with a spincast reel. They are easier to learn without having to set the reel up for different bait.

Get one of the all in one kits to get started, or learn how to Texas rig some power worms. In AZ I catch bass all day with a Texas rig.

If you want to throw a few lures together, IMO the basic essentials for bass are:

Spin bait
Artificial worms
Swim bait

Stay way from gimmicky stuff like the banjo minnow.

Read through: http://www.bassresource.com

Lots of good info there on everything from tactics to tying knots.

Remember, in a non life sustaining scenario...fishing is relaxing and fun...just keep a close eye on your wallet!

Well, it looks like I've got a lot of vocab to learn first as you lost me there with talk of "Texas rig" and "swim bait" and such. I'm definitely in the camp of non-life-sustaining fun and relaxing at the moment, but I do like learning as much as I can about a subject just for the learning too. Definitely will check out the site you listed as right now I can't tell the difference between one result on an Amazon search vs. another (easy way to comparison shop) except when it's labeled "for kids" or "saltwater". LOL so much to learn.

Will definitely keep an eye on the wallet. This looks like an area that it's easy to buy a lot of gear in (just like camping, first aid, guns, and just about anything else we discussion on ZS) even if you don't need all of it.

Also, if legal in your area, frozen corn will put fish on the stringer! And carp don't taste too bad and are generally very large and could feed a family for a day or two.

Well, the one pond I mentioned in the original post does seem to be a major location for people releasing their koi back into the wild. Like I said, I'd be hesitant to eat anything out of there in other than a survival situation, but I do wonder what fillets from a 2-foot koi would taste like.

[JesterODX]

If your just getting into fishing I'd get a Zebco 33 Combo pack (rod and reel). Cost you about $25 dollars on the Amazon.


Jonadz had said talk to people. Thats the best advice about how. What little bit I did know I learnt from just talking and asking questions at the local bait shops. Thats where I bought all my tackle, the small stores. They're more apt to know how something does and the best way to work it, as far as stores go.

But I am about in the same boat. I havent fished in a decade. I'd like to get back into it some. Be good to get my father and go do some rebonding on the lake.

[SCBrian]

Being an avid fisherman the best advice you can get comes from the guy standing next to you on the bank!

This is the best advice. What works for me in my area, may not work for you in yours....
Scent(Taste) control is up there. I know this sounds foolish, but watch what's on your hands before you go messing with your bait and hooks. I have a buddy I fish with had no luck what so ever. We'd fish with the same bait, the same area, etc. I pull them in constantly he'd get nothing... After watching what was going on, I relized he was chewing dip. He wasn't spitting in the water (had a bottle) but the scent? must have been transferring off his fingers on to his hooks/bait... He's since stopped dipping while fishing, and it's improved his catch rate a lot.

[Ad'lan]

Well, it looks like I've got a lot of vocab to learn first as you lost me there with talk of "Texas rig" and "swim bait" and such.

AFAIK,it's also region specific vocab, with multiple names for different things.

[Caenus]

The terminology is google-able. Texas rig is basically an artificial worm with a slip weight tied on and the hook turned in to the worm. Makes it weedless and let's you run it along the bottom.

There is a lot of terminology, and a lot of it is regional. The Texas rig was made up by a fisherman in...where else? Texas. It was probably used all over before that,

Lots of websites to read through, I've found bassresource.com well organized and they explain the terminology very well. There are also lots of tutorials on the site.

[Walking-dead]

I'd look up a local fishing guide and have him take you fishing. It's not very expensive and learn from a pro.

[Jonadz]

Checking back on this and reading though other posts I realized the whole "talk to people" thing might not be as clear as we all mean it.... You are talking to people right? Why isn't it helping? My apologies if you got the gist and I may be about to sound TO-THE-POINT, or rude but hell a little definition never hurt. Talk to people in your area to get the gist of what "might" work.... Yet never rely on it! Fish are so damned wishy washy it's almost an ever evolving game of tag. I've been in hot spots that I had fished for years with the same types of lures and killed them then without warning couldn't even catch a cold.... And the kid next to me fishing with the exact opposite style pulling them in left and right! Living in Oregon, trout couldn't stay away from me and my "rooster tail" now in Washington I swear they run from anything but power bait and good ol fashioned worms! I guess to sum it up, it all really depends on your region, those stupid fish and their moods and your tolerance for "fishing".... If it were consistent and easy.... We would call it catching!

[maddmatt]

Structure. Points, drop-offs, bush piles, river channels, rock piles, and grass beds, find structure and you will usually find the fish.

[Caenus]

He is "talking" to people!

To address the waterhole "experts". I've been at a few places where boats were not permitted. Some people are straight up superstitious. My dad uses the same chartreuse grub for bass because "once" he caught a 2 lber on it. I listened to a guy at Dead Horse state park in AZ talking to another angler swearing by powerworms because "a couple years ago" he caught a 10 lber. That water had leaches, frogs, and panfish. Use a lure/bait that mimicks whats already in the water. That day I caught two bass on a creature bait. Usually, I use power worms on one rod, and before we move spots (boat fishing), I switch to a spinnerbait. This is LM Bass in AZ lakes. I always catch 2-3 bass in a morning of fishing. Dad, he catches 1-2 bass a summer...

Remember, fisherman are liars!

by fishermen being liars I meant use the following formula: # fish claimed caught / 3, weight of each fish x .60 for actual weight

[tookieblueeyes]

Wow! How ironic!

I am uploading a video I just did entitled "Fishing Tackle 101" to my youtube channel. You might want to check it out if you want more information on the different types of tackle there is out there on the market and some other useful information as well as examples so you know what you are looking at and what not.

I did the video because one of my friends on youtube asked me to help her out and "school her" on fishing because she wants to learn more about it and learn how to fish too. I told her I would help her out and so I did the video, and now here you come asking the same question.

I plan on doing a whole series of videos on fishing, the basics and the more advanced points to the sport... so you may want to wander over and check that out because sometimes it is really helpful when people get visuals of the things they want to know about along with the information they are looking for on a topic.

My channel link is in my signature but I will post the video here when it is finished uploading... I have 30% uploaded at this current time and youtube takes a little bit of time so if you are interested check in on that a little later. It will help you out when selecting your gear when you are ready to.

When this video is done uploading it will be visable @ http://youtu.be/RKVxVNuKZWA but it has a while before it is uploaded so I wouldn't rush right over there, give it a couple of hours (knowing youtube).

[Jonadz]

He is "talking" to people[/size]

This is just what meant though...... He is talking to people.... I was only saying he needs to talk to people actually fishing, where he's at, at the moment lol. The best tips come from the people catching or not catching in that place at that time. I've always been a pretty solid fisherman but as a perfect example, the last time I was in Arizona I was fishing Patagonia lake.... Old childhood fav.... Now a dirty stinky puddle... Anywho.... 5 solid hours without even a bite.... I was trying everything in my arsenal. Got fed up and started heading back and ran across an ol timer on the bank with 4 HUGE catfish, a couple bass and what looked like 3 or 4 crappy( right spelling or not that's how I pronounce em) and a little mad I asked what him was using. " they're only eating hotdogs today" who the hell ever keeps hot dogs in their tackle? He tossed me a cheese dog I sliced it up, went back to my spot and walked back to the dude 10 minutes later with a 9lb bass! As far as I knew there were no bass to speak of in that lake? Point I'm trying to make is it's all about the time and place? Changes every day, every season, some things stay the same but overall it's always evolving!

[Caenus]

Yup, definately. You have to have the tools in the box though. Cheese dogs and other meats almost always catch something. I have a few ziplocks in the freezer right now full of table scraps.

I leave them frozen and they thaw throughout the day. Good call on that!

[tookieblueeyes]

[KnightoftheRoc]

It's been said, but it bears repeating- talk to other fisherman IN YOUR AREA. Talk to them about what works for which fish in the water you want to fish. I've been bass fishing all over my county, and a few others- on any given day, I can have success in any given spot- but it will never be with the same fishing bait/lure in two spots on the same day. This, all in the same body of water.

What's under the water's surface will be a factor, as will current speed, water temp, and how recent the last rain was. All of these can contribute to things like turbidity- using a reflective spinner that flashes won't be too productive if it can get no light to it. Live bait can sometimes be better, and sometimes worse, than a lure will be, even if you stick to a favorite spot, simply because a recent rain has washed down a surplus of food.

For lures, I've had good luck with rubber minnows and worms, combining them as needed with weights and or spinners. Probably the best bait I've used has been hardhead minnows or crawdads (crayfish), depending on location. Both need to be fished properly, or the fish ignore them, but that can be said of any bait or lure.

As for cleaning fish- you might want to learn how to filet- it wastes a bit, but it's the easiest way to remove dinner from the bits you don't want, and it works on any fish.

[Psycosis]

I agree with the others about talking to the local fishermen and bait shop guys, they can help out a lot with location and whatnot. Just bear in mind that you are just starting out so keep it simple. Sure the $9 dollar lure someone is talking about can catch fish, but did they also tell you they're using it in the middle of a specific lake 20 feet down trolling from a 20k bassboat? The same goes for lures, rigs, poles/reels and whatever. Any type of fishing gear someone is talking about can catch fish, the trick is do YOU have the skills and knowledge to use it? Start out simple and work your way up from there.

Anyway you didn't say and nobodies asked so far, what do you plan on fishing for and where???


Where do you plan on fishing like streams/river or lakes/ponds or both?

What are you fishing for like bluegill, perch, walleye, pike ect ect.

It's not a huge issue but answering that will help down the road for choosing gear, tips, lures, fishing techniques and whatnot for more advanced fishing later.


Just starting out though I'd go with a basic spinning reel/bobber with plain old worms. It's cheap and easy to do. I'd stay away from combo fishing pole/reel deals at the store. The reels are usually too small, the line on them is dirt cheap crap, and you can almost always piece together a better set up buying individual items.

Without knowing the answers to the what fish/where while covering the most fish and situations you'd find in Mass I'd get the following:

A 2 piece 6 to 7 1/2 foot fishing pole like Ugly Stick or a Whuppin Stick if you have a Cabelas. Lifetime guarantee and they're inexpensive. Not sure if Basspro has a similar model. The 2 piece fishing pole is for transport, try shoving a 7 foot 1 piece fishing pole into a car Do NOT buy the pole with the little trigger on it, it's for baitcasting reels.

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly ... /303/54047
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t104836680

A middle sized spinning reel. There's other good reels but for the price and quality a Quantum or Shimano are hard to beat.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Quantum-Triax ... gMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shimano-Synco ... l/16641418

A spool of 6-8 pound test fishing line. You can get other brands but the excel is good stuff and inexpensive. 6-8 pound test will cover about any normal fish you'd run into for the most part. Excel is a Basspro brand so you only getting it there.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-E ... 308/147563

A pack of snap swivels. I prefer black over the brass color but that's a personal preference.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Eagle-Claw-Sn ... s/16507391

A pack of bobbers, stick or round it's up to you just make sure they are NOT slip bobbers.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Comal-8pk-Pla ... e/16513334

A pack of baitholder hooks.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Eagle-Claw-Ba ... e/16507368

A pack of sinkers.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-1 ... 662/111544


Learn to tie some knots
http://www.animatedknots.com/nonslipmon ... dknots.com

Learn to fillet the fish you catch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHuOzc5xQkM

Learn how to string your pole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcrjtNFC ... re=related



Total cost:
$20-$30 Pole
$20-$30 Reel
$10 Spool of line
$20 Hooks, Bobbers, Sinkers, Swivels

Ballpark of $75 and you're ready to go fishing other than a fillet knife and some worms.

You can also look into getting a tackle box to store everything in but in all honestly with the assortment packs coming in their own containers you could start out with a plastic bag and worry about the tackle box later.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng ... nstraint=0

Personally I'd go to Wallyworld first for most of that as they're usually cheaper than Basspro and they carry the basics pretty good with the assortment packs I linked.

You don't have to buy those exact items, there's plenty of other brands/models out there, but the ones I linked are inexpensive quality items for starting out.

After that it's just a matter of adding to your skills and gear


Good luck to ya and FISH ON.

[Zen Chameleon]

For a beginner and the next step up from a cane pole (nothing wrong with a cane pole)
I'll toss a second vote for a Zebco 33! It's cheap, easy to pull apart to "fix" if needed, way simple to use, and will still work fine long after you move on to bigger and better reels/combos.

If you're just doing "bank fishing" in ponds, streams, and small lakes then you really won't need much at all to get started (as noted is a pretty good list above my post). But if you're wanting to fish from a boat or in rivers where there are stronger curents and more/bigger fish then your cost could go up easily.

Just remember this: a smaller hook can catch small and larger fish but if you use too large of a hook it will not fit in a small fishies mouth lol.

The whole randomly "talk to people" thing that's a 50/50 deal, most strangers fishing will probably just lie to you, especially if they are doing good that day. But go talk to them anyway just don't listen only with your ears, instead listen and learn with your eyes and your gut...but The old timer sitting on a 5gal bucket with nothing but 2-3 cane poles probably knows more then anyone else on the water
Also you should look up you wildlife managment area's website and state park site, both of which should give you some needed info. Knowing your laws, rules, regulations, and safety notes for the state and each location you fish will be very helpful too lol.
Hit up the local library... I have an old kids book from the early 70's titled "First Fish" and every bit of the information still stands true and useful today.

The most important thing is to get out there and do it! Good Luck

[silversnake]

Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas so far. I definitely plan on talking with folks actually fishing in the places where I'm thinking of fishing, but I came here to get some of the groundwork first. Otherwise, I'm afraid their answers will be very "basic" for someone familiar with fishing but sound like theoretical physics to a new guy like me standing on the bridge with Google handy.

Anyway, I really want to thank Tookieblueeyes for the video link. That's exactly the sort of think I was hoping to start with so that I know what the old timer means when he says "oh, I just put a scrap of beef on my rooster tail" or whatever.

Always glad to hear more advice and thoughts, especially on how to use the gear that I will eventually purchase. I know a lot of that is "it depends" but, in answer to this

Anyway you didn't say and nobodies asked so far, what do you plan on fishing for and where???

I'm not entirely sure. I don't own or have access to a boat so I'm looking at fishing from the bank or off a bridge. The sites most convenient to me are a couple of medium-sized ponds and a small lake. I know they're a favorite dumping ground for people's pet fish because I've seen koi swimming in at least one pond though I've seen guys fishing from the banks pulling out sunfish and perch.

[tookieblueeyes]

Anyway, I really want to thank Tookieblueeyes for the video link. That's exactly the sort of think I was hoping to start with so that I know what the old timer means when he says "oh, I just put a scrap of beef on my rooster tail" or whatever.

You're welcome!
I am so glad I helped out even if it was with basic information.

[Ashurah]

Spent some time writing a few paragraphs, then reread some of the original post and decided to start over. lol.

It's an excellent idea to talk to people, but in the end I think sometimes you just need to experiment and find out what works. Since it sounds like the OP is probably going after panfish in small lakes, i'd say sticking with a worm on a hook is a good idea. A few thoughts:

For a beginner and the next step up from a cane pole (nothing wrong with a cane pole)
I'll toss a second vote for a Zebco 33! It's cheap, easy to pull apart to "fix" if needed, way simple to use, and will still work fine long after you move on to bigger and better reels/combos.

If you're just doing "bank fishing" in ponds, streams, and small lakes then you really won't need much at all to get started (as noted is a pretty good list above my post). But if you're wanting to fish from a boat or in rivers where there are stronger curents and more/bigger fish then your cost could go up easily.

Just remember this: a smaller hook can catch small and larger fish but if you use too large of a hook it will not fit in a small fishies mouth lol.

The whole randomly "talk to people" thing that's a 50/50 deal, most strangers fishing will probably just lie to you, especially if they are doing good that day. But go talk to them anyway just don't listen only with your ears, instead listen and learn with your eyes and your gut...but The old timer sitting on a 5gal bucket with nothing but 2-3 cane poles probably knows more then anyone else on the water
Also you should look up you wildlife managment area's website and state park site, both of which should give you some needed info. Knowing your laws, rules, regulations, and safety notes for the state and each location you fish will be very helpful too lol.
Hit up the local library... I have an old kids book from the early 70's titled "First Fish" and every bit of the information still stands true and useful today.

The most important thing is to get out there and do it! Good Luck

+1

As for equipment, i'd keep it simple. Fishing pole, hook, bobber, sinkers, and worms. From what i've read, since the OP is looking at small lakes for bluegill and perch, this is all he should need. Depending on the climate and time of year, I would consider buying some underwater shoes and/or waders. When shore fishing, you want to try and get away from some of the more frequently fished areas. In wisconsin, once your feet are in the water, you can travel wherever you please, so long as you stay in the water. Some places that are impossible to access by land because of trespassing limitations can be reached by simply walking into the water. Stay parallel to the shore and you should be able to travel wherever you like. Please research laws that pertain to your locality/state, or talk to a local wildlife official. You do not want to unintentionally trespass.

Waders will help keep you dry, and most have the added protection of keeping your feet from being scraped or cut. If you cannot afford waders or the water is really warm, consider getting a pair of water shoes and getting wet. Just remember not to go barefoot, as there are a lot of idiots who throw glass in the water. A cut in lake water can be bad news.

While your in the water, pay close attention to any circular shapes on the lake bed. These shapes can indicate fish beds, and usually if you cast your line past the fish bed, and slowly reel your bait through the beds, you can get a bite or two. It seems to me that bluegill don't like things floating in their beds. I've seen them actually grab a worm/hook and move it outside of their territory. I've caught several fish that way.

Also try not to disturb the fish if you choose to wade/walk through the water. Fish will spook easy if you get to close. If you find a nice spot, but think you may have spooked them, make a note of it and move on. Next time be more careful, and you might catch a nice one. Also, polarized glasses help to reduce the glare off the water, so you can more clearly see what is happening under the water.

When looking for a good spot to cast, try to land your bait next to fallen trees, or next to lilly pads/grass. I know that sounds difficult, and you may get a few snags. When I was a kid I used to tie a stick or weight to the end of my line and practice casting in the yard. It probably sounds stupid but it did help me improve my accuracy.

If you decide to try wading, you can keep your fish on a stringer or in a net that attaches to your waist.

Anyways, gotta get to bed. Hope this helps.