Idiots guide to fishing

gnolan

Hi. I cannot claim to know anything about fishing...but i would like to! Some things that i really need are:

- a rod
- and an idea of where to go

I don't want to spend a lot on a rod, basically anything will do. I am looking to fish around lakes and rivers around dublin and wicklow. Preferably somewhere quiet, by that i really mean not busy. Somewhere that you could sit around, have a few sandwiches

Dusty87

As you i would not know everything about fishing. I would mainly fish for pike and coarse so i would be limited to that. But my local tackle man is always helpful and will tell you what waters are doing well etc. Id say dont be afraid to ask him. Hes there to help and should definately have a good knowledge of the area. Tell him what your looking for in a rod and how much you have to spend. He will try help you best he can id say. If he gets you interested he knows you'll come back again.

pullandbang

gnolan wrote: »

Hi. I cannot claim to know anything about fishing...but i would like to! Some things that i really need are:

- a rod

and a reel, line, hooks, lures, bait, bags, nets, floats,etc etc....

gnolan wrote: »

- and an idea of where to go

The sea, rivers, canals, lakes etc.....

Really depends on what you want to do.

gnolan wrote: »

I don't want to spend a lot on a rod, basically anything will do. I am looking to fish around lakes and rivers around dublin and wicklow. Preferably somewhere quiet, by that i really mean not busy. Somewhere that you could sit around, have a few sandwiches

If it's too quiet it probably means there's no fish there, or it's private water.

Start on a canal and do some coarse fishing - it's free and cheap. You don'e even need a rod. Line, hook and bread and you'll be fishing. once you get the bug though, you'll be hooked:D

Flairpinnedme

you'll need much more than a rod mate!

if you're new to it and you want to learn then the best way is to try and find someone to go out with, who will teach you the basics. its not easy to pick it up by reading about it or watching it on tv

beer enigma

gnolan wrote: »

Hi. I cannot claim to know anything about fishing...but i would like to! Some things that i really need are:

- a rod
- and an idea of where to go

I don't want to spend a lot on a rod, basically anything will do. I am looking to fish around lakes and rivers around dublin and wicklow. Preferably somewhere quiet, by that i really mean not busy. Somewhere that you could sit around, have a few sandwiches

First thing really is to decide what you'd like to fish for - this may be decided by what you have locally & how far you're willing to travel. Coarse would be a good option for you in so far as you have easy access to Blessington lakes.

Second would be to get yourself kitted out & whilst maybe not top notch gear, the likes of Argos sell relatively cheap 'starter kits' - which may fit the bill.

Thirdly & probably most important is to do your homework ! - you need to know how to handle fish, catch & safe return is very important - unhooking techniques, rules & regs etc - catching fish is great, but putting them back alive & well is even better

You'll find people from all walks of fishing on here, so feel free to ask

Andi

ButcherOfNog

pullandbang wrote: »

Start on a canal and do some coarse fishing - it's free and cheap. You don't even need a rod.

Yes, you do need a rod, the only legal method to freshwater fish is with rod and line.

Bandit883

All you need is a bag of lime and a net;)

Daroxtar

For an absolute beginner you cant beat aldi or lidl. they're always selling rod and reel kits with loads of hooks, lures weights and floats etc for 25-40 euro and other bits and pieces. have a look for a spinning combo. You can always go for more expensive kit when you get more experience. A basic spinning combo will allow you to catch pretty much any type of fish using a variety if methods and baits from drifting a worm down a river for trout to float fishing with sweetcorn on a canal for coarse fish to jigging plugs or spoons or wobbling deadbait for pike in a lake.

gnolan

Thanks for the replies. Think i will get myself one of the starter kits, like i say i don;t care too much about the quality of the equipment. I know that better equipment would help, but when i have no experience its probably not worth it.

Blessington lakes seems like a safe enough bet, a little bit far but not too bad. Anything that i should be sure to keep in mind? Is it all 'catch and release'? I read somewhere that if the fish is below 6-8 inches you have to throw it back. That makes sense, but if i catch something bigger i wouldn't mind getting some dinner out of it!

pullandbang

ButcherOfNog wrote: »

Yes, you do need a rod, the only legal method to freshwater fish is with rod and line.

Apologies!

I was thinking of my own experience many moons ago in Salthill. All of us lined up with rods catching nothing and an old man beside me with a line and a hook, hauling in fish to beat the band!