Fishing Equipment for Beginners
Have you ever thought about dipping your proverbial toe in the water? Would like to get into the sport of fishing, but not sure where to start?
If so, read on!
The Benefits of Fishing
There’s no denying that fishing is good for the soul. It reduces stress and helps you unplug from the daily grind. It also gives you a hit of vitamin D from the sun and keeps you fit.
On a more social level, fishing is a great way to form bonds with family and friends. The shared experience of ‘catching the big one’ or reminiscing about the ‘one that got away’ is priceless.
We also get to enjoy the stunning scenery that Australia has to offer – what’s not to love?
Fishing Equipment for Beginners
Shopping for fishing gear can be overwhelming when you’re starting out. That’s why we’ve put together a checklist of essential equipment for beginners to get you up and running and on the way to bagging your first catch.
Fishing Rods & Reels
Rods come in all shapes and sizes and for various purposes. They can be made out of graphite or other composite materials. The type of rod you need will be dictated by the type of fishing you ultimately like doing; be it fishing in the surf, fly fishing or hanging a line from the local pier.
Our suggestion is to start with a rod of medium strength so that you can angle for different types of fish and get a feel for them on the line. You want enough responsiveness in the rod to feel when a fish bites and allows you to quickly reel it in.
A good rule of thumb for rod size is to go for one 30cm longer than your height. A great way to start is with a fishing combo – this will give you a rod and reel that are matched to each other and kills two birds with one stone. Of course if you’re serious, you can always buy a rod and a reel separately.
When shopping for a reel, there are many lightweight and affordable options. A good start is to buy a spinning reel as they’re quite versatile. They’re good for fishing from the shore, off a pier or on a boat.
Fishing Line
If you’re opting for a fishing combo like we’ve mentioned above, its going to come with fishing line. But it never hurts to have spare line! It’s normal for fishing line to get tangled and to break.
It’s also handy to buy lines in different strengths and weights. Lines have varying elasticity and castability and are used in different situations.
In rougher waters, you’re going to want stronger and heavier line. Lake and clear water fishing on the other hand calls for a thinner clear line (such as a braided line) which is harder for the fish to see and get spooked by.
Monofilament line is also a great choice as it easy to work with. Beginners usually find it easier to tie knots for their hooks.
Hooks
You’ll definitely want to stock up on fish hooks before you set out. There’s quite a range to choose from; single, double, even treble hooks, but as a beginner, the single hooks are the way to go.
Bait
Bait is of course, what’s going to go on your hook to attract the fish. Live bait, such as worms are a good choice, but for convenience, its usually best to get it in a packet from Freddy’s
Lures
Lures are basically an artificial bait. They’re designed to mimic real fish so as to get the attention of the predator – or bigger fish in this case.
Lures are a great thing to have in your tackle box when you’ve run out of live bait, and in some cases, you might find the lure works better. With the wide range of lures available, you have a much wider choice in different weather and water conditions.
Sinkers
Sinkers are an important part of your fishing kit as they make your lightweight hook and bait sink under the water. Be sure to have spares on hand as you’ll invariably lose some along the way.
Swivels and Snaps
Certain types of bait and lures will make your line turn until it becomes a twisted mess. A swivel is the perfect connection between your line and bait and will allow the bait to spin freely. This is especially useful for live bait.
Needle Nose Pliers
Needle nose pliers are used to remove hooks out of your catch, and on some occasions from yourself too! Stainless Steel is the way to go, such as the Samaki Stainless Steel Pliers. A bestseller here at Freddy’s.
Sunglasses
Sunnies are a must-have when it comes to outdoor sports, especially with fishing as you often get a nasty glare off the water. Look for UV polarised glasses as they help you see beneath the the surface of the water.
Hats
Its vitally important to slip,slop, slap in Australia’s conditions. That’s where the ‘slap on a hat’ comes in. Get one with a wide brim and protect yourself from the sun.
Tackle Box
Now if only there was somewhere to store all of these goodies.. luckily for us there’s the trusty tackle box! Tackle boxes come in all shapes and sizes and will help you transport your gear. It will also help you keep all your equipment organised.
Hopefully this has given you a good start in the right direction to buying your fishing gear. Remember Freddy’s has eight stores in Queensland and New South Wales where you can get expert advice. You can also shop online and contact us if need be.
Happy Fishing!