What fishing rod?

[callmedave]

Ok so my son showed an interest in fishing so we went and got him set up and now I really want to do it too.

He has plenty of gear (tackle?) so all i really need is a rod and reel and we can both do it.

so, i need your help to find a rod for a beginner.

Must be on Amazon (using vouchers to buy)
no budget per se, but around £40 preferably (I can add to whatever it is over £40)
rod and reel can be seperate purchases
to be used for Coarse fishing
must include case and a decent line.
If some extra tackle is included then thats fine.

There are a lot of options with the telescopic ones appearing to be cheaper, so im dubious if im better with a telecsopic or 3/4 piece once.

ones that have caught my eye are:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Float-Match-Fishing-Hunte...

But reel looks a little cheap?

And this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carbon-X-Complete-Beginne...

Thanks guys!

[Big Al.]

OK course fishing, what type of course fish are your quarry?

Lake Fishing:- Carp (large or Small) or general light stuff?
River Fishing? Barble, Chub, or general stuff?

If lake and carp fishing do you want to use ledger tactics? or general fishing with a Float Rod?

Just need to gauge what equipment you'll need.

[otolith]

Telescopics are generally a bit rubbish.

[callmedave]

Big Al. said:

OK course fishing, what type of course fish are your quarry?

Lake Fishing:- Carp (large or Small) or general light stuff?
River Fishing? Barble, Chub, or general stuff?

If lake and carp fishing do you want to use ledger tactics? or general fishing with a Float Rod?

Just need to gauge what equipment you'll need.

Lake and river fishing, nothing too big. Carp, perch, bream that sort of thing.
What's ledger tactics?
I plan to use a normal float?

[Ahbefive]

I have had a couple if telescopic rods and even the branded ones are a bit weak and can jam in the extended position.

I have a few rods but imo the most versatile I have is this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Rods/Okuma-Dead-Ringer-...

It's only 6ft long so perfect for spinning but really strong and I was catching 15lb carp with it just yesterday and it would easily pull in much more. I have a shimano 2500 baitrunner on mine and it really is a great setup although I guess it costs a fair bit.

[RichB]

Oh come on, how is a complete beginner ever going to cast a float with a 6' spinning rod

I would suggest that for river fishing even 10' is a tad on the short side. Perhaps look for a 12' match rod, 3 pieces preferably because the less joints the better.

Seriously I would go into your local tackle shop and talk to the owner for advice and buy from him. Really I would... If you get hooked on fishing you'll be going in each time you go for bait and bits and bobs so why not get a rod and reel from him. Also, i wouldn't want the line on those reel, get some decent stuff from your tackle shop too.

[Ahbefive]

I use my 6ft spinning rod with lures, ledgers and floats although it is a bit more difficult with the latter but depends on the bait and the float.

I like it as its just so portable and easy to setup and can be cast with 1 hand as its so light. I'm not a fan of really long rods and find them unnecessary unless casting out all the way across a lake or into the sea.

[RichB]

Ahbefive said:

I'm not a fan of really long rods and find them unnecessary unless casting out all the way across a lake or into the sea.

Or trotting on the Thames say, where you may have 6' depth or more between float and hook or want to reach past reed beds. Yes, I used to float fish a 15' deep gravel pit with a 10' split cane carp rod but it's not easy.

[Ahbefive]

Running controller float for that sort of situation. I just don't like long rods.

Rightly or more probably wrongly I generally don't follow what all the other fishermen are doing. I just love a short rod.

[RichB]

Ahbefive said:

...I generally don't follow what all the other fishermen are doing. I just love a short rod.

There's an element of that in me because i used to love fishing the Loddon, a reasonably fast chub and barbel river, with a centre pin reel. I felt it gave me more control. Now reels for the beginner, there's another topic

[callmedave]

Guys a lot of this is going over my head!

All I wanna do is drop a float in a pond/lake/canal and pick up the odd fish. Im a begineer and landing fish is all i wanna do for now.

I appreciate your feedback but its all a bit above my level. I do have a local tackle shop and its where I got all my sons gear from, decent guy in there very helpfull (if a little bit grumpy) and has time to explain anything I dont understand.

Im looking on amazon because im expecting vouchers for my birthday next week. If its worth it then Im happy to put my hand in my pocket and head down the same tackle shop for some proper gear.

[RichB]

callmedave said:

Guys a lot of this is going over my head!

Sorry, these threads do tend to go off at a tangent.

[callmedave]

RichB said:

callmedave said:

Guys a lot of this is going over my head!

Sorry, these threads do tend to go off at a tangent.

I can understand,

Back to what i said at the beginning,

I linked two rods in the first post

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...
and
http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...

Which of these two is the better one?

[Big Al.]

callmedave said:

I can understand,

Back to what i said at the beginning,

I linked two rods in the first post

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...
and
http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...

Which of these two is the better one?

To answer your question, (now irrelevant) standard Legering doesn't use a float. It's just a weight on the line that holds the bait on the bottom.

As for the Linked rods, Both will catch fish, nothing to choose really between the two. But you will get what you pay for.

I'd think personally that you would do better going to your local tackle shop and looking what's on offer, then you can choose what you want when you have a little more knowledge.

[callmedave]

thanks Big al

so Ledger fishing - without a float, assume i need a bite alarm? or do i see the end of the rod twitch or something?

[RichB]

Big Al. said:

callmedave said:

Back to what i said at the beginning, I linked two rods in the first post. Which of these two is the better one?

As for the Linked rods, Both will catch fish, nothing to choose really between the two.

That's the problem Dave, all of us here fish but from a picture on a web site it's impossible so say. Pick whichever one you like the look of. I suppose we all started with a cheap rob and reel but most of us had a father or older brother to mentor us. Without which, we're all just guessing and that's why we suggest talking to the tackle dealer. If he's really that grumpy find another shop.!

[callmedave]

Thanks guys

Will head down there in a week or two and check out his tackle er I mean check out his rod, no wait.....

[kentlad]

callmedave said:

I can understand,

Back to what i said at the beginning,

I linked two rods in the first post

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...
and
http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...

Which of these two is the better one?

I'm going to wade in here. I'd class myself as a beginner angler (have been fishing a few times a year, every year since i was a kid and know the basics). I'd personally avoid buying a reel from Amazon that comes pre-loaded with line. Chances are it'll be c**p. Get yourself a half decent reel from the tackle shop and ask him to show you how to load a spool properly, i taught myself how to do it and was shocked at how easy it actually was. The amount of tangles it saves me on the odd occasion i go is definitely worth the effort...as for a rod, i'd be looking at 10-12ft depending on how tall you are?

I'd personally be looking at something like this for your budget, it should be good quality so it'll last & you'll ever have some change for a half decent carry bag.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEW-DAIWA-CARP-MATCH-DCM1...


My two pence - Avoid a telescopic rod. They're generally rubbish.

[Big Al.]

callmedave said:

thanks Big al

so Ledger fishing - without a float, assume i need a bite alarm? or do i see the end of the rod twitch or something?

There are lots of ways to detect bites, Bite alarms is one way, you can watch the top of the top the rod, you can use bite indicators that attach to the line. You don't really want to do ledgering with a float rod though, horses for courses and all that.

As I've said pop down to you local tackle shop, and ask them to talk you through the various methods of fishing.

[Big Al.]

kentlad said:

Sound advice

I'd also steer clear of telescopic, a good 12 Quiver tip would do both ledgering and Float fishing, even used mine for prawning for Salmon with great results.