So you’ve decided to take fishing up as a hobby or sport. You’ll love getting out into the great outdoors and taking in nature as you cast your line and wait for that bite or strike. If you’ve never fished before, you may have no idea how to start life as a fisherman. Much is learned by trial and error, but there are a few basic things you will need.

Equipment

You will need some basic equipment for your new pastime. It doesn’t have to be expensive or top of the line. Before you get into a lot of expensive fishing tackle, you will first want to determine if you enjoy the sport. Let’s take a look at some basic fishing tackle.

Rod and Reel

These can be purchased in a sporting good store or most department stores for between $20 and $30. Be sure the rod is a length you are comfortable with. Rod length will depend somewhat on your height, but will probably be between 5 and 6 feet in length. Children will need a shorter rod. A rod and reel can be purchased prepackaged in one unit. If you buy this type of package, the reel will already be spun with fishing line. You can also buy the rod and reel separately. A spinning reel is the best for beginners and its best if it is either fiber glass or graphite. These pools are light and make it easy for you to tell when you have a bite.

Fishing Tackle

You will also need bobbers (floats,) hooks and sinkers, which are weights that keep your line down to a specified depth. Both hooks and sinkers can be purchased prepackaged in variety packs in your local department store. These give you several different sizes of hooks and sinkers so you will be prepared should you need more than one size.

When you buy bobbers, buy smaller ones. When fish take the bait, bobbers offer resistance which the fish can feel. The less resistance it feels the better chance that the fish will take the bait. When your bobber goes under the water surface, you will know that a fish is nibbling at your hook.

If you’ve had some experience fishing, you might want to try lures, which are artificial bait. Smaller lures are attractive to a wide variety of fish species. It’s best to chose lures between ⅛ and ¼ ounce size. Use caution when buying lures. Some are made only to catch the cash in your pocketbook. If you need advice about lures, ask a family member or friend who is an experienced angler. Fishing lures can be very expensive and run from about $3.00 and above. It’s best to use live bait when you first begin fishing and give yourself a chance to learn about fish species, bait, lures and other more advanced fishing tackle.

Tackle Box

Purchase a fishing tackle box that has compartments for organizing your tackle. This allows you to put your hands on the tackle you need with ease. Your tackle box should be lightweight, waterproof and have latches that will keep the contents secure.

Needle Nose Pliers

Needle nose pliers will assist you in easy removal of the fish hook once you land your fish. Sometimes the fish swallow the bait and the hook. If this happens, needle nose pliers can be a great help in removing the hook.

Stringer

If you plan on taking your catch home and frying it up for dinner, you will need a stringer. This allows you to slip a metal clamp through the fish’s mouth and then through the gill. This is painless for the fish and is a good way of keeping your catch secured so it can’t get away.

Landing Nets

Landing nets are optional. Some fisherman wouldn’t be without them while others never use them. If you are fishing from the bank of a pond or stream, a net isn’t necessary. If you’ve fishing from a boat, they’re highly recommended. Also, a net allows kids to catch minnows, frogs and tadpoles when they get tired of fishing. This is a good pastime and keeps them busy. They will discover many things about the world while playing with a fishing net.

Bait

Of course some type of bait will be necessary. If you’re a beginner, night crawlers, also known as dew worms work great. You can buy them at a fishing store or use a flashlight to pick them from the dewy grass in your yard or the compost pile after dark. They are easily stored in the refrigerator, but be sure to put them in a plastic container with some soil and fasten the lid securely.

Other baits you can try are mealworms, plastic worms, grubs, cheese balls, bread balls, kernel corn and small chunks of hotdog. More advanced anglers may prefer minnows, crabs or leeches.

Fishing Knife

Also known as a fillet knife, a blade of a fish knife is pointed and has a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other. The serrated edge is used for scaling your catch. The sharp edge is used for cleaning and filleting.

First Aid Kit

This is a necessity for your tackle box. Bandages and a soothing gel or ointment for cuts, scraps and minor injuries should be included.

Fishing Hole

Head to an area where the water sparkles and shade trees line the bank. Cast your line into eddies and tranquil pools. Ponds, streams, lakes and creeks all make fantastic places to relax and wait patiently for a fish to take the bait. Then, the fight is on and you experience the thrill of the catch.

Fishing Licenses

Most areas require that you have a fishing license. Many times children don’t need them. Check with the local Conservation or Fish and Game Service to find out the rules of your area. If you plan to fish on private property, remember to ask permission of the property owner.