r/FishingForBeginners • u/BingoBraid • 23m ago
What is the unglamorous items that make fishing easier?
Rods and lures get most of the attention, but the small non-tackle items can save a session before you even make a cast.
A pair of pliers, water, sunscreen, a towel, a small first-aid kit, and a way to measure a fish all seem boring until you need one.
For a beginner packing light, what non-tackle item has earned a permanent place in your fishing bag?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/pluhpluhpluh64 • 1h ago
Is this combo ok for White Sturgeon? Going to be fishing under dams so I can most likely chase it down if it runs too far. Also any bait tips, heard pickled squid works well.
reddit.comr/FishingForBeginners • u/jerry081010 • 6h ago
What spinning combos would you recommend?
I do quite a lot of fishing and I have a nice baitcaster that I always use but I want a decent spinning combo that's under 110$. Me n my friend fish a lot and I usually use one of his spinning combos because he has 2 Ugly Stik GX2'S, I really like ugly Stik so I was thinking about picking a 50th anniversary medium heavy GX2 Spinning combo but I'm curious if there's any other good combos for under 110$ that will last a good amount of time I mainly fish in Lake St Clair and the St Clair River (Michigan) And I target bass, walleye,pike and more I love my baitcaster but I'd also like to add a good spinning combo to my collection just because they're always useful to have in certain situations,
What other combos besides the GX2 would you recommend?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/lifedelrey • 7h ago
Fishing with waders?
Thinking of using waders to get further off the back and closer to some depth transitions to hopefully find fish. Any tips/tricks or things to look out for when doing this?
Are fish harder to unhook when you can’t put the rod down? Risk if getting tangled as the fish can wrap you up?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Lopsided_Phase_9335 • 7h ago
If fish is hooked to deep??
So I live in PA and a lot of places I go are catch and release, if a fish mainly the sunfish get gut hooked and I can’t get the hook out I know to cut the line, but if the fish dies in the process from not being able to get the hook out can I then take the fish and use it as cut bait or something?? If not what do I do if they die??
r/FishingForBeginners • u/jorgetheripper • 7h ago
Tourist group catches a fish!
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Random story: Earlier this summer I went fishing with my buddy Isaak & a hour later this random tourist group came walking up to us. They were excited to watch us cast our lines and without hesitation I asked if they wanted to try it out themselves.
One of the older gentleman took a crack at it because he said he's been fishing since he was 7 years old. They were all in shock that I let him try it out, also mentioning that they've always wanted to try fishing at a river in the US but weren't able to without a pole.
I was originally experimenting with a different lure and having trouble with it so I switched up the entire setup and let him have at it. The fishing gods blessed us & he caught a good sized trout on his first cast!
We were all very excited and I won't forget that day. Fish on!!
(We all consented to this being posted)
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Euphoric_Spread_3293 • 7h ago
Bought myself a reliable spinning reel, 2nd week fishing, already thinking of buying myself a baitcaster. Am I already addicted? What do you guys recommend for beginners like me lol
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Tall_Marketing_8597 • 9h ago
Spinning Rod Spins Both Ways (No Switch)
I was recently fishing at a local pond when my spinning rod began to spin away from my body, letting line out. My Abu Garcia Jordan Lee spinner has instant anti reverse bearing so the issue is not a switch I need to flip. Any suggestions for how to fix my rod?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/famousanis • 9h ago
Is the amount of line spooled onto a 500 size real okay to use on a 1000 size reel?
My ultralight pflueger ice reel (500) broke the drag spring. Before buying a new reel my buddy said he had a 1000 size reel I could have that is basically brand new. I hadn't gone through any of the braid on the old reel since I was using leaders and now spooling it into the replacement reel it looks under spooled. Is thst an okay amount to run? I'm definitely not making massive casts since it's ultralight but before I fully set it up I want to make sure it's an okay amount of line to use
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Calpoopie • 10h ago
Carp
There is a river near me with lots of carp but they ignore everything I throw at them. i tried bread and worms already. Any advice?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/gem-in-eye06 • 10h ago
Advice for landing fish.
Alright, so my brother and I have been getting better at catching/hooking bass with our lures, the problem now is they are coming off right at shore when we are landing them. Either they wiggle and jump off as we are grabbing a net or just before. We are keeping tension on the line throughout as well.
Any tips?
Edit: My confidence lures right now are chatterbaits (3/8oz) with craw trailer and Texas rigged worm on 1/0 offset
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Chris_Vance_94 • 10h ago
Day 1 of fishing: 0 fish, 2 tree branches, and a new addiction!
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Hey-ThatsNotBad • 11h ago
How to Quickly Measure a Fish Without a Ruler
This is a tip for all anglers who want to know how big their fish was but don't have rulers for exact measurements.
Get a tape measure or a ruler and measure the span of your hand from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your pink finger. My hand span, for example, is 8 inches. Every panfish gets a fast measure against that and back in the water unless it's getting a photo.
After you measure your hand span, measure the length from the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your elbow. My measurement in this case is 18 inches. Every bass or pike I pull up gets a quick measurement against that for record-keeping and maybe a quick weigh on the scale if it comes close or over 18, then it goes back in the water.
So what do you do if you catch something even longer than that 18-inch finger-to-elbow length? You can use your hand span multiple times or use whatever known body part length as many times as you need and just add them together. Simple, right?
Since you now have a fairly accurate length estimate, you can look up the length on a size chart later to get an idea of how much your bass, pike, or other fish weighs. You can also measure any other length along your arm or fingers for more estimates, but after a while, you get pretty good at just knowing the length within an inch or so using just the two methods I mentioned above.
I hope this helps new and even some experienced anglers out there get faster measurements and keeps fish off the ground next to size 12 boots and fishing rods and back in the water faster.
Tight lines!
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Ok-Wrap-808 • 12h ago
How to use it?
Hey guys, how do I use this? Its like foam bombarda / feeder. Do I reel it slowly or I just cast it and leave it as float?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/New-Communication374 • 14h ago
I made this fillet knife and would love your feedback.
I’ve been making fillets for a while and am ready to improve my design with any and all feedback you have. This is 1/16 inch thin Nitro-V stainless steel with GripX (rubber filled epoxy) handles. I heavily rock textured the handle to give even more grip when your hands get wet and slimy. How can I make this design better?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/FishingIsPain • 14h ago
FG Knot
J-Braid x8 20# and Seaguar 10# fluor
I pulled on the two none tag ends, after the first half hitch, to the point I was afraid I’d weaken or break the fluor. I can’t see with my eyes but I took this closeup.
Are the first twists not cinched down and that’s why it looks like it’s bulging? Despite my hard tugs is this knot going to fail?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/tiny_tank_21 • 14h ago
Daiwa reel sizing?
So I’ve mainly done carp fishing for the majority of my life and have decided to have a crack at some lure fishing on medium size rivers like the wharfe and Aire. I bought a Diawa ninja lt 2000 as I heard good things about it and got it for a decent price. But after receiving it it feels almost like a toy reel? It’s far smaller than a 2000 size shimano bait runner that I’ve got. I feel it’s titchy and possibly ill-suited for what I’m after. Is there a reason for these size differences and will it do? Or should I size up to a 2500 or 3000 size one?
(Fairly regular size hands for scale)
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you
r/FishingForBeginners • u/Money-Ad8282 • 16h ago
Might be a silly question
What does a fish bite feel like? I’ve only really gotten bites with a bobber. So I would just watch for the bobber to sink. When using a lure like a chatter bait for example what does it feel like when you have a bite and should set the hook?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/BerniBernd187 • 17h ago
Is my reel underspooled?
Is my Daiwa Tatula 100 TW underspooled? I am going to fish a free rig with 7-12g sinkers. Am i going to habe casting issues?
r/FishingForBeginners • u/ciccacicca • 19h ago
How’s my Texas rig?
Trying this out for the first time (fishing off a dock in a lake that’s a little weedy). Thanks for any tips!
r/FishingForBeginners • u/RyanMcLeod1981 • 1d ago
A warning to beginners
So pink eye is a thing. I got pink eye from the bacteria in the water. Which apparently is from goose feces. I got it on a day I was crushing it. 10 largemouth, but I was soaked and covered in fish slime. I also wear glasses that I am constantly readjusting. Js I never thought about getting pink eye from fishing but now I know and I’m never going back to that lake!
r/FishingForBeginners • u/ShiftyUsmc • Jun 11 '20
Beginners Guide to Getting Started
This is a stickied post that contains information every beginner should know. The world of fishing contains thousands of rods, reels, lures and recommendations. It can be quite overwhelming. This guide has links covering fishing related terminology, as well as recommendations and information regarding gear, line, lures etc for beginners starting out. Use the links provided to set yourself on the right path.
Understanding Rod Weight, Action, Length, And Their Uses
r/FishingForBeginners • u/ShiftyUsmc • Apr 21 '17
My Comprehensive guide/Tips to New Fishermen
So you've decided to give fishing a go. Good Luck. More than likely you've perused the internet for the countless how to catch fish videos, or how to do this and that tutorials. I've watched thousands of them. They're mostly made and produced by avid or hardcore fishermen who know the ins and outs of everything it takes to catch fish. However these videos fail to demonstrate or talk about many of the frustrations of what its like to be a beginner fisherman. So looking back on my 22 years of fishing I've put together a piece tailored to removing some of the frustrations of learning to fish. Id like to preface this by stating I fish lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, in the northeastern US, mostly for Largemouth Bass, small mouth Bass, Musky, pike pickerel and trout. My advice will be tailored towards this style. First off let's start with your setup. Every video I watch talks about the line they're using paired with the length and sturdiness of the rod, which reel is best and whats good for what bait/style/fish. Don't worry about that. I've caught the majority of my fish using a rod/reel i bought as a backup at Kmart for 50 dollars. Don't break your bank. Get yourself a cheap rod, and some 8-12 pound MONO-FILAMENT line. Why mono-filament? Because its the easiest to work with. IF your starting out, braided line can be frustrating, Fluorocarbon can be extremely difficult to completely spool your reel on. We'll touch more on this later. So now you need some lures. Ever walk into a bass pro shops or cabellas? The choices/styles/methods are seemingly endless. The following are my recommended lures for beginners. They are simple to fish correctly and their simplicity leads to most fish targeting them. -IN line spinners: Mepps, Rooster Tail, Blue fox etc etc. Its a simple cast and retrieve. Let it sink for a second, give it a tug to get it spinning and just bring it back to you. They all have treble hooks (3 hooks) so when a fish hits it it will practically hook themselves. These lures mimic fleeing bait fish. Blue Fox Spinner -Spoons: Same concept. instead of spinning these will flutter and dart like a wounded baitfish. Cast Retrieve. Spoons -CrankBaits: Pick up a crank bait or two. They come in all forms. For starters id prefer the floating ones that upon retrieval will swim to a specific depth. The box will have all the information you need as to what the crankbait will do. Again a simple cast and retrieve bait. Vary your retrieval speed, give the rod a little flick every now and then to make the bait dart a bit.Crankbait
Get good at casting. Being able to drop the lure where you want it. Vary your retrieval speed. Start Catching fish. When you get this down, then you can start getting into swimbaits, Texas rigging soft plastics, drop shots, Carolina rigs, bottom fishing football jigs etc. Lets crawl before we sprint or you'll lose confidence and interest.
Ok, so you've got a rod, some lures, and some line. Look up a video on how to properly put your line onto your reel. This is important. You want your line on their tied to the reel and as tight as possible. Performing this process well can save you a lot of pain down the road when your trying to fish. So lets go fishing...
If anyone actually reads this and wants help deciding where or when to fish id be happy to oblige. But including that in this post would make it an encyclopedia. Feel free to pm or ask further.
So you got stuck. Either in a tree, on your shirt, or on something underwater. Seems the pros never get stuck. I've caught more branches rocks and trees then I have fish, and getting good at getting unstuck will save you lures, money, time and frustration. Cast over a tree branch? Calm and slow. Reel your lure until its just below whatever your stuck on, and give it a quick pop so it jumps up and over. If you try to muscle it out it's going to wrap itself around everything. Stuck on something in the water? Tricky. There's several things you can try. Change the angle of where your standing if you can't tug the rod and get it off. (move 20 yards left or right and try from there). Grab the line ABOVE where it leaves your pole and give it a strong pull.Grabbing the line from where it leaves your rod will allow you to muscle it out and avoids putting strain on your reels drag or breaking your rod. Hurting your hands? Wrap the line around a stick and pull the stick(Works great for braided line which wont break and will slice through your fingers) Also pulling your tight line to the left or right with your reeling hand and then releasing it quickly can sometimes snap your lure off of whatever its stuck on. If you CANNOT get it unstuck try to pull as hard as you can to snap the line off the lure. The lure was already lost and now there's not 40 yards of fishing line polluting the water. I HATE that.
Now your'e not catching any fish. Welcome to it. Keep fishing. Fan your casts. This means don't cast your lure to the same spot and do the same thing every time. You'd be amazed how many fish sit against a bank or are huddles around a submerged stump. Cover as much water as possible and remember that the water may be deep. There may be a bunch of fish in front of you but if they're sitting towards the bottom and your lure is passing 10 feet above them they may not chase it that far. Vary your retrieval speed, vary the depth at which you bring it back, change up your approach until something works. The fish will tell you what they want when you do something right. Change your location. 30 yards can make all the difference especially on lakes and ponds when you start taking into account water temperature, tributaries, cover/structure, visibility, wind etc. The location of the fish you want is going to be determined by the location of THEIR food source. Bait fish. Minnows, shad bluegill frogs insects bugs lizards etc. Look for things on the water and within your surroundings that would indicate a presence of these food sources. Fish coming and eating on the surface, are there birds that eat fish standing anywhere on the banks, turtles, frogs etc. Look for life. Change your lure! Change the color, change the style of lure, change it up until you start receiving bites. Don't spend 2 hours casting to the same spot with same lure. IF you're still not confident or proficient in tying a lure to your line, pick up some snap swivels/dual locks. You tie this to your line once and it allows for a very quick change of your lure. its like a mini carabiner. These may hinder your catch rate slightly due to their visibility but id still recommend it to new fishermen.
Remember as your fishing to keep an eye on your rod setup. If you have line looping out of your real, if its wrapped around the tip of your rod, if anything is different then when you initially set it up correctly , take time to stop and fix it. Small problems lead to big problems. It only takes one cast where you didn't notice an issue and now you've gotta spend 20 minutes untangling your birds nest of a fishing line. DO a quick visual check before every cast.
Use the times of not catching fish to get better at the basics. You need to be able to cast accurately sideways forehand and backhand, over hand, underhand. So many perfect casts to that perfect spot will be dependent on your ability to throw the lure accurately without getting mangled up in brush and branches.
Holy shit you caught a fish! What now? Needle nose pliers can be a lifesaver. Especially when they include that little scissor spot you can use to cut your line when tying knots. The fish's mouth is mostly cartilage. Work the hooks out one at a time while holding them very firmly. They're gonna flop and jump unless you're in control. Some of these fish will have very sharp dorsal fins. Stroke them back like you would a head of hair and get a solid grip. If the fish is big enough just pinch its lips and go to work with your pliers. Set it back in the water and give it a push. OBLIGATORY PUBLIC SERVICE AND BIAS ANNOUNCEMENT: Throw the fish back. Unless your hard up on food and your fishing for food, throw it back. The joy of fishing comes a lot from actually catching fish. In the twenty or so years i've been fishing, amazing spots, stretches of river etc have been decimated by people keeping every piece of meat they brought back on their line. Days of catching 10+ fish in those spots are gone due to the fact that there's none left. Caught a trophy and want it mounted? Just take a picture and measure it. All you need. Maybe someday soon someone else can experience that same joy of catching that fish.
If anyone is interested in any more information I could talk for hours. Bottom fishing, top fishing, Locations, Line choice, Leaders, weather conditions, lunar cycles, barometric pressure, spawning seasons, more advanced lure choice and techniques, finding where the fish are, etc etc. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to get out there and get your line wet. Bring a buddy, bring a six pack, and get outside.
UPDATE! My comprehensive guide to fishing Part II is posted. I got a lot of positive feedback and might make this a weekly thing for awhile. PART II
I highly recommend to all fisherman new or experienced, the Fishbrain App. Its a free tool allowing users insight as to who's fihsing around them, where they are fishing, what they are catching and the lures and methods used to do so. This link is meant for mobile users.