Son wants to go fishing, ive never been. tips required!
Discussion
So my son has expressed an interest in going fishing.
I plan to get him a starter kit for xmas from the local tackle shop (nice guy in there, says he can set us up for round £50)
Apart from going once with an uncle when i was about 10, ive no experience of this but willing to give it a go, before i do, i have a few queries that i cant find answers too by searching online.
My son is 9 so I understand he will not require a license as under 12? If we both go but with the one rod then i wont need a permit?
There is a park near by where a lot of people fish, do we just find a spot we like and set up?
In terms of catching a fish, Im assuming a some long nose pliers to get the hook out and chuck the fish in the keep net?
Whats a good bait to use? we will likely go every other weekend to this pond or the nearby canal.
Any tips or pointers are appreciated!
I plan to get him a starter kit for xmas from the local tackle shop (nice guy in there, says he can set us up for round £50)
Apart from going once with an uncle when i was about 10, ive no experience of this but willing to give it a go, before i do, i have a few queries that i cant find answers too by searching online.
My son is 9 so I understand he will not require a license as under 12? If we both go but with the one rod then i wont need a permit?
There is a park near by where a lot of people fish, do we just find a spot we like and set up?
In terms of catching a fish, Im assuming a some long nose pliers to get the hook out and chuck the fish in the keep net?
Whats a good bait to use? we will likely go every other weekend to this pond or the nearby canal.
Any tips or pointers are appreciated!
Not sure this is the right bit of the forum for this post but I'm sure someone will move it accordingly...
I wouldn't bother with a keep net at this stage, just lob the fish back once you've admired it. Some places don't even allow them unless it's for a match.
callmedave said:
So my son has expressed an interest in going fishing.
I plan to get him a starter kit for xmas from the local tackle shop (nice guy in there, says he can set us up for round £50)
Sounds good, probably the best sort of fishing for him is some general coarse fishing (sprat bashing) so that you're catching stuff and not getting bored. For starters he'll want a decent float rod suited to his height (12ft is usual size but he will probably want something smaller to begin with) and a reel to go with, fairly decent fixed spool can be had quite cheaply. In addition to that he'll need a landing net, some rod rests, seat/tackle box, then tackle - line, floats (wagglers are good), shot, hooks, etc. Finally when you're ready to go fishing some bait, good old pint of maggots will do for starters I plan to get him a starter kit for xmas from the local tackle shop (nice guy in there, says he can set us up for round £50)
callmedave said:
Apart from going once with an uncle when i was about 10, ive no experience of this but willing to give it a go, before i do, i have a few queries that i cant find answers too by searching online.
My son is 9 so I understand he will not require a license as under 12? If we both go but with the one rod then i wont need a permit?
Technically if a water authority bailiff turns up and you're using the rod then you need to be licensed. It would be well within their rights to report you. Whether thy'd actually do that if you told them it was your son that was fishing I don't know.My son is 9 so I understand he will not require a license as under 12? If we both go but with the one rod then i wont need a permit?
callmedave said:
There is a park near by where a lot of people fish, do we just find a spot we like and set up?
You really need to find out who controls the fishing there, ask someone next time. It may be controlled by a club in which case you may have to join to fish. On the other hand quite a few park lakes are just controlled by the council and/or can be fished on day tickets. If so someone will be round at some point to relieve you of a few £. Might even be free to fish. Provided you are allowed to fish there then generally yes you can just pick your spot.callmedave said:
In terms of catching a fish, Im assuming a some long nose pliers to get the hook out and chuck the fish in the keep net?
When getting tackle buy a disgorger, it's a small plastic stick that you slide up the line and the end is designed to engage with the hook to help wiggle it free. Some artery forceps can also be handy for bigger fish, tackle shop will sell these. Use barbless hooks, much easier to get out and less harmful to the fish.I wouldn't bother with a keep net at this stage, just lob the fish back once you've admired it. Some places don't even allow them unless it's for a match.
callmedave said:
Whats a good bait to use? we will likely go every other weekend to this pond or the nearby canal.
As I said maggots are always pretty reliable fresh from the tackle shop. Also try bread, luncheon meat, sweetcorn, worms, etc.callmedave said:
Any tips or pointers are appreciated!
Might be worth buying a book to cover that basics for him and you. Also if you know anyone who does a bit more fishing it may be worth dragging them along the first few times.
maturin23 said:
My first port of call would be to find a decent tackle shop in your area.
They will be able to give you all of the advice you need in terms of kit, methods and local knowledge.
Done this, been in already and chatted to the guy there briefly, I plan to return to purchase the bits soon, when I do I'll ask him a few more questions. Thanks.They will be able to give you all of the advice you need in terms of kit, methods and local knowledge.
Don't know where you are in the UK OP, but it's the 1st November.
Unless it's exceptionally warm where you are, even an experienced angler is not going to find it easy catching in a, shallow, park lake!
Shallow still waters will already have cooled down a lot, unless there are other anglers there catching fish, you might be disappointed at this time of year!
The best months for that type of still water fishing are late May through to September!
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's my experience of the last 35 years!
In the colder months your best chances would be in a river, a day or two after some high water!
Unless it's exceptionally warm where you are, even an experienced angler is not going to find it easy catching in a, shallow, park lake!
Shallow still waters will already have cooled down a lot, unless there are other anglers there catching fish, you might be disappointed at this time of year!
The best months for that type of still water fishing are late May through to September!
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's my experience of the last 35 years!
In the colder months your best chances would be in a river, a day or two after some high water!
Echo what most have said.
Couple more tips:
To start with stick to fishing for smaller fish with maggots as you generally catch a lot more so it will keep his interest (particularly as we have arrived in November as mentioned above- (although I think it is still warm enough currently))
Most lakes and rivers you actually need a permit over and above the rod licence. Some bits are public and you can just rock up and fish, but most of the best places are private or day-ticket. Get advice from your local tackle shop.
When fishing with maggots the single biggest mistake beginners make is using too heavy line. FOr some bizarre reason, little 6 foot beginner packs of fishing tackle come with the reel loaded with about 800lbs line. Basically rope capable of catching a blue whale in conjunction with a rod capable of catching a minnow.
It is incomprehensible but it makes it impossible to cast light floats properly and more importantly fish won't take your bait.
The simplest way to get around this is to buy your hooks already attached to light nylon hooklengths and get as light as you dare (I wouldn't fish with much more than about 2 lbs hooklength for smaller fish on maggots
Good luck and enjoy
Couple more tips:
To start with stick to fishing for smaller fish with maggots as you generally catch a lot more so it will keep his interest (particularly as we have arrived in November as mentioned above- (although I think it is still warm enough currently))
Most lakes and rivers you actually need a permit over and above the rod licence. Some bits are public and you can just rock up and fish, but most of the best places are private or day-ticket. Get advice from your local tackle shop.
When fishing with maggots the single biggest mistake beginners make is using too heavy line. FOr some bizarre reason, little 6 foot beginner packs of fishing tackle come with the reel loaded with about 800lbs line. Basically rope capable of catching a blue whale in conjunction with a rod capable of catching a minnow.
It is incomprehensible but it makes it impossible to cast light floats properly and more importantly fish won't take your bait.
The simplest way to get around this is to buy your hooks already attached to light nylon hooklengths and get as light as you dare (I wouldn't fish with much more than about 2 lbs hooklength for smaller fish on maggots
Good luck and enjoy
Echo a lot of what's already been said but would also add that the simplest and cheapest way to set up to go fishing would be to buy a 4 or 5m whip and ready made rigs to go with it. These just clip onto the end and you play the fish with the bend of the flexible whip. No reel or anything to worry about. This will however only be suitable for smaller fish up to about a pound. You could also get an elasticated version which would let you land much bigger fish. The good thing about them as well is that the rigs tend to come with nice light line, floats and small hooks all increasing your chances of getting bites.
As others have said however Xmas is not ideal fishing weather and it would be a shame for him to go and not catch anything and get disheartened with it all. If you could wait till around May time he'd have a much better chance of catching plenty and having fun and I'd also stick to maggots initially as your best chance of catching. Its key to feed as well to attract the fish, throw in maybe 5 or 6 maggots around the float every couple of minutes to attract them to you.
Tight lines!
As others have said however Xmas is not ideal fishing weather and it would be a shame for him to go and not catch anything and get disheartened with it all. If you could wait till around May time he'd have a much better chance of catching plenty and having fun and I'd also stick to maggots initially as your best chance of catching. Its key to feed as well to attract the fish, throw in maybe 5 or 6 maggots around the float every couple of minutes to attract them to you.
Tight lines!
Really appreciate all the tips.
I didnt really think about the cold weather lowering our chances of catching anything (and thus putting him off) I planned to go around March time in the new year so that it is warmer, but thats more for our own comfort rather than increase our chance of catching fish!
I will get some books to go with the kit to keep his interest up over the winter months.
I didnt really think about the cold weather lowering our chances of catching anything (and thus putting him off) I planned to go around March time in the new year so that it is warmer, but thats more for our own comfort rather than increase our chance of catching fish!
I will get some books to go with the kit to keep his interest up over the winter months.
Go to your local library & look in the sports section. There are some very good 'how to' books on fishing.
Buy a copy of 'Angling Times' from the newsagent - but don't get carried away with the tackle ads!
As already said, see if the water is controlled by a club. Whilst there are many waters - lakes, rivers etc - where there is free fishing (still needs a Rod licence if of age) most are rented by clubs. Clubs are usually more than happy to have new members & I'd be very surprised if you didn't get a lot of help.
http://www.3ws.co.uk/fishingclubs.php
Your tackle shop should be able to put you in touch with a local club.
Buy a copy of 'Angling Times' from the newsagent - but don't get carried away with the tackle ads!
As already said, see if the water is controlled by a club. Whilst there are many waters - lakes, rivers etc - where there is free fishing (still needs a Rod licence if of age) most are rented by clubs. Clubs are usually more than happy to have new members & I'd be very surprised if you didn't get a lot of help.
http://www.3ws.co.uk/fishingclubs.php
Your tackle shop should be able to put you in touch with a local club.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 1st November 17:55
battered said:
callmedave said:
) I planned to go around March time in the new year so that it is warmer,
Coarse fishing close season 15 Mar to 15 June. They need time off to spawn.Trout season starts April 1st (iirc).
why not try sea fishing? Late autumn and early winter is the best time IMO, you might get lucky and catch a cod for dinner condor said:
I'd suggest taking the lad Mackerel fishing - best fun, catch loads without really trying - and very tasty to eat
Funny you should say that, there's huge shoals around the south Kent coast at the moment. OP will need to be quick as they'll be gone any day. They do have stunning colours:
Its not the wrong time of year to fish but it may be the time of year to think of different species. Might be worth trying some spinners or other types of lure and try some perch or pike fishing.
As suggested maggots are great for easy float fishing for roach etc. Forceps and disgorgers are a standard requirement for getting hooks out and dont bother with a keep net.
Do you not have any friends that fish? Physical tips off someone that fishes are invaluable. Youtube vids are also helpful and I enjoy watching peoples differing techniques and results.
As suggested maggots are great for easy float fishing for roach etc. Forceps and disgorgers are a standard requirement for getting hooks out and dont bother with a keep net.
Do you not have any friends that fish? Physical tips off someone that fishes are invaluable. Youtube vids are also helpful and I enjoy watching peoples differing techniques and results.
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