Fishing Advice

[nheather]

I'm not really into fishing, but I do have a telescopic rod that I like to take on holiday. I'm sure it's not that good but it isn't one of the real cheap ones either - just mr average.

Basically, when on holiday I like to take it down to the river, beach, or pier and try to catch something, whilst enjoying a few beers - just chill out stuff.

Anything I catch I throw straight back.

Thing is I don't have a clue what I'm doing:

How to cast
What size hooks to use
What float
What knots to use and how to tie them
What goes on at the hook end - weights, traces, the spinning couplings (not the lures)

Can anyone recommend a good website for beginners that explains this - the ones I have found have either be uninformative or over my head or too serious.

I've summoned up the courage to ask a few shops and generally get stuck with the 'depends on what you are trying to catch' - when I say 'dunno river fish' they just say 'what sort of river fish'.

So appreciate any advice.

Cheers,

Nigel

[sniffer66]

Can you get to Milford easily (just past Godalming on the A3) ? Thats not far from Horsham on the A281 is it to Guildford ?

My brother runs a tackle and bait shop on some lakes there and is very helpful and sympathtic to new fisherman - he was one himself only 2 years ago. If not I can give you his number

[shodan]

I'm new to it too (or rather turning to it after doing it as a kid) but I've been going once a month with my Dad who is a little more knowing about fishing so I would suggest asking your mates to see if any of them fancy going occasionally. As long as you aren't going with a top rate competition angler then I'm sure it'll be fine. oh and another tip... Ask around and find a lake which is severely overstocked. This way even if you are only doing it a little bit right (like me) then you should still be able to catch fish so its got for moral. Nothing worse than trying your limited best and not catching anything. Completely demoralising!

[oldnewbie]

Everything you need to know Take Me Fishing | Fishopedia Home It's a USA site but fishing is the same the world over.

[danuk]

This site has a selection of links : Fishing: A complete introduction and online guide: Your angling 101 from the UK Rivers Network

[leej]

For fishing on the river....

You are best to start off using a block end feeder......Drennan oval blockend swim feeder - TackleShop.co.uk

You put the feeder on your line first and then stop it with one of these......Drennan leger stops - TackleShop.co.uk

Tie a loop on the end of the line and then attach your hooklength to it. You can buy hooklengths already made up....Kamasan b611 hook to nylon - TackleShop.co.uk

You'll be able to buy tackle the same and similar to the above from your local shop.

I would suggest buying a pack of size 16 and 14. Start fishing with the 16.

Fill the feeder with maggots and put 2 or 3 maggots on the hook.

The links provided in the posts above show how to cast and tie loops.

When you start fishing, for the first hour or so keep casting regular, <5 minutes, to build up some bait in the swim.

[nheather]

Thanks for the help - I'm looking for the absolute basics such as

I have the end of the nylon line - what do I do with it. Just attach a hook (what knot and how to I tie it).
Where and how do I attach the float (and what one should I use - there are so many shapes and sizes).
Where and how do I attach the weights - what sort and how heavy.
What are the swivels for - do I need them.
Hooks - is it okay to use barbless ones - I've used a barbed one on a simple hook and line before but then not been sure how to get it out of the poor fish.
And then, how do I cast, how does the spool work.

The site that danuk has suggested looks promising - I'll have a look through that.

Cheers,

Nigel