UK- I would like to start fishing; how do I begin?

Question

I am 23 and fancy a new past-time to fill my weekends. A friend recommended fishing, and I would like to know more.

How can I get started as a beginner on a (very) modest budget? What are the different types of fishing, and what sorts can I get involved in around the Bristol area?

What equipment do I need to start and how much does it all cost, roughly? Is it worth getting a kit from Argos, for instance, or a used set from a dedicated shop?

Any help welcome. Thanks.

Answer 1

try the website

www.worldseafishing.com

on the top toolbar is a forums section.

scroll down to your area, ie. Bristol and ask your question there. chances are that someone will offer you some gear and take/show you an area that will be productive in the bristol area.

this is a site dedicated to the fishing lads and has lots of tips and helping hands

Answer 2

Start cheap.  It can get very expensive very quickly.  You can probably get some used equipment from garage sales, charity shops or just ask around; someone is sure to have some extra they might even give you.

You'll need a rod and reel, some new line, some sinkers and hooks.  Then hit the water and see if you like it.

Answer 3

well getting cheap gear is easy on ebay but most times in the uk u need a permit to fish in some lakes and thats costs money u can go to a dedicated shop to ask about it.

Answer 4

go to your local working-men's club & ask and old member to take you out for a few hours. he might be more helpful than any book or mag you can buy . also he will put you in the right direction for cheap tackle !

Answer 5

Your friend was right, fishing is a great past time. I used to get depressed because it seemed like all I did was work, eat, and sleep. I didn't have much time to do anything else. Well, I started fishing because I could fit that in for an hour or two each night, and it made all the difference in the world. I am absolutely addicted to fishing...lol.

It's easy to get started on a modest budget. Fishing can get expensive if you get carried away, but you can start with a cheap set up and upgrade and add to your collection over time. One of my favorite parts of my hobby is picking up a new lure or other accessory every once in a while.

You will need a rod and reel, line, hooks, bobbers, weights, pliers, landing net, a small tackle box, a bucket or cooler to keep fish in if you are keeping them (in such case you would also need a fillet knife), a scale and tape measure, and maybe a few lures (unless you are going to stick with live or prepared baits at first).

This should be enough to get you started. Yes, you can buy a kit from Argo if you wanted to. They are not going to be the best quality, and you will quickly find that you want to upgrade once you have the money, but these kits will be great for learning when you are on a tight budget.

Since you have never fished before, I would suggest getting a cheap kit that includes most of what you need and see if you will actually enjoy it. You can always upgrade later. You will probably find it beneficial as you gain experience to have multiple rods for different situations anyway, so starting with a cheap one now will not be an issue.

I looked at Argos, and one of the ones I suggest if you DO go with a kit would be this one. It looks like it would be a decent starter setup and includes a good bit of what you will need to get started. You can add to it from there.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/pa...

There are others on the site that are decent, but from what I saw, this was the best deal for what you will need. You will need more hooks and split shot than what they give, and will likely need a bigger accessory box, but it has a lot of good basics. You can add the other necessities you need for a decent cost.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 6

get a rod, get a reel, get hooks, sinkers, bobbers, get bait. Fish.

Ask other anglers for help, and tips.