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Fishing is one of the oldest sports in the book. Cave paintings and fossils prove that fishing has been around since prehistoric times where fish was a hugely common and easy-to-find source of food for people. Since the 1400s, fishing has also developed into a sport for fun, and is considered a relaxing past time, a great way to spend some time with loved ones, and to get a little closer to nature. If you’re considering giving the beautifully calm and fulfilling sport of fishing a try, here’s everything you need to know for your first time casting a fly!
There’s lots of different types of fishing, but for first timers we recommend spin fishing. Spin fishing uses spinning rods, which are designed for smaller, lightweight fish. You’re likely to have a local fishing spot near you, especially if you live near a body of water like a lake, river, or the sea. You'll be able to find the most active fishing spots by checking out local guides, asking seasoned fishers you know, or searching on the web.
A Rod and Wheel: You can buy these two separately, but rod and wheel combos are easier to set up and ideal for beginners. Make sure you have the right size and weight for your height; you need one that you can comfortably carry with one hand.
Fishing Line: As a beginner, you’re probably not aiming to catch humungous fish. A line for smaller fish, such as a monofilament line with a casting weight of under 10 pounds will be perfect
Hooks: The fish will bite onto the bait over the hooks and get caught, allowing you to pull them up. Circle hooks are the most humane hooks out there for catch-and-release fishing, and sizes from 6-10 are ideal for catching smaller fish.
Weights: Will pull the line down further into the water, upping the potential of reaching more fish
Bobber: Will signify when you’ve caught a fish by being tugged under the water
Bait and Lures: Will attract and tempt the fish to your hook.
Pliers: Will help you pry the hook from the fish’s mouth after you’ve caught one
Line cutters or nail clippers: For cutting your fishing line when you need to add a new
Tackle Box: To carry and store your gear in
A bucket: Fill it with water if you want to keep your newly caught fish during your trip
Fishing licence: Fishing Licences last for either one day, eight days, or twelve months. You can order one online, pick one up at the post office, or call the Environmental Agency
Holding your rod tightly but comfortably, push and hold the reel’s release button
Raise your arm, bending it at the elbow, until the tip of your rod meets your eye-level
Flick your wrist to cast out, throwing the line into the water. Create tension by reeling the line through your forefinger and thumb
And now comes the relaxing part; sit back, keep and eye on your line, a wait for the fish to be drawn in by your bait.
When you’ve caught a fish, your bobber will begin to bob beneath the water. You might also feel a sudden tugging on your line
Jerk your rod up, and hopefully, beneath the waves, the hook will hook into the fish’s mouth
Tug gently – not too harshly, you don’t want to risk losing or hurting the fish! Reel the fish in.
Always keep your hands wet while holding fish; they’re creatures from the water and they’re skin shouldn’t dry out too much!
Quickly and carefully unhook your fish. Hold down the fish in one hand with a soft yet firm grip, and with the other use pliers to gently pull the hook from the fish’s mouth.
You may want to take this opportunity to make a record of its weight and take a photo of your catch.
To return your fish, kneel down by the waterbed and lower the fish as close to the water as you can before gently releasing it, allowing it to simply slide into the water and swim away
Now you know all you need to know, you should be ready to get out there on your first fishing trip! Make sure to check out our vast array of fishing gear to make sure you've got everything you need, and maybe find some nifty extra tools along the way.
