Going Fishing...

[CornMonkey]

When it comes to fishing, I'm a total noob. I don't even like eating fish. But I have an opportunity to go fishing at a nearby lake and I haven't committed to going just yet.

One thing I'll need to bring with me, if I go that is, is my own equipment. So can any of you more experienced fishmen suggest a beginner's rod/reel combo? I want to spend no more than $50 for that if possible. Oh, and I would also need tackle box, hooks, lures, etc etc. I guess less than $75 total would be good. So any/all advice would be helpful.

And is there any one method to catching fish? Or do techniques vary depending on the fish? I believe we'll be fishing for bass, carp, and/or catfish.

[Prngr44]

Techniques differ for all of those. If you're a beginner, I'd look for some kind of Zebco 33 combo. You won't have to worry about tangled lines and such with a baitcast combo.

I know there's some intro tackle boxes that come with a mix of tackle (hooks, weights, line, bobbers, lures) so you might try that and then add a few lures or other bait.

Most fish are a cast and retrieve technique. Catfish tend to be more like "cast your bait and let it sit on the bottom until you see it getting bites" type of fishing. We usually call that tight-lining because you strap a large weight and reel until your line's tight and just watch the tip of the pole.

It's a great hobby and once you get the hang of it relaxing and rewarding.

Best of luck!

[Napoleon54]

Any decent bait and tackle shop should be more than happy to help you out. The big chains are really worthless for that IMHO, but if you know of or can find a privately owned store that would be best.

The equipment you'll need is dependant on what kind of fish you're after and how you'll be fishing for them. Can you get more info from who you're going with? Your budget does sound sufficient for just about anything, but more specific info will help a lot.

One suggestion I'd like to make is if you get a rod/ reel combo that already has line on it, replace the line. A lot of times the line on those setups is old and brittle. Even if the line does feel strong, it's likely to break much more easily when knotted. A few dollars spent on fresh line is about the best investment you can make, it could easily save you a lot of frustration with broken knots and lost fish! Another reason to replace old line is that it will often exhibit "memory", meaning that it will maintain a coiled shape when unspooled and that can lead to getting tangled.

But for starters, any decent rod/reel combo should be fine. Basic info about the rod should be printed on it just above the grips- length, weight of the action, suggested line sizes, etc. For bass, carp, catfish I'd look for something like a ~6ft medium or medium/heavy weight rod and reel with 8 or 10 pound test line. A 2-piece rod will make transport and storage much easier. Have you used spinning reels before? If not, then I'd look for a close-faced reel like Prngr44 suggested. Zebco is a good company for those. Close-faced reels look like a squat bullet with the line entirely enclosed by a cover and they have a button you push to release the line during casting (which is why they are also sometimes called "push button" reels). That's about as noob-friendly as fishing gets. :)

If you're fishing with worms or other live bait I'd recommend some #4 sized snelled hooks (snelled = already have line tied to them), pea-sized splitshot sinkers, and snap swivels to connect the hooks to your main line. Lures will depend entirely on what fish you're after and how you're fishing for them... they're pretty speciallized so sorry I can't help more on that topic.

[MikeD]

Nap54 covered things pretty well.

Hey, don't forget the beer though. That's what fishing is all about. :hihi:

[Prngr44]

Any chance you have a BassPro or Cabela's near you?

[CornMonkey]

Any chance you have a BassPro or Cabela's near you?
No, and no. =(

Any decent bait and tackle shop should be more than happy to help you out. The big chains are really worthless for that IMHO, but if you know of or can find a privately owned store that would be best.

The equipment you'll need is dependant on what kind of fish you're after and how you'll be fishing for them. Can you get more info from who you're going with? Your budget does sound sufficient for just about anything, but more specific info will help a lot.

One suggestion I'd like to make is if you get a rod/ reel combo that already has line on it, replace the line. A lot of times the line on those setups is old and brittle. Even if the line does feel strong, it's likely to break much more easily when knotted. A few dollars spent on fresh line is about the best investment you can make, it could easily save you a lot of frustration with broken knots and lost fish! Another reason to replace old line is that it will often exhibit "memory", meaning that it will maintain a coiled shape when unspooled and that can lead to getting tangled.

But for starters, any decent rod/reel combo should be fine. Basic info about the rod should be printed on it just above the grips- length, weight of the action, suggested line sizes, etc. For bass, carp, catfish I'd look for something like a ~6ft medium or medium/heavy weight rod and reel with 8 or 10 pound test line. A 2-piece rod will make transport and storage much easier. Have you used spinning reels before? If not, then I'd look for a close-faced reel like Prngr44 suggested. Zebco is a good company for those. Close-faced reels look like a squat bullet with the line entirely enclosed by a cover and they have a button you push to release the line during casting (which is why they are also sometimes called "push button" reels). That's about as noob-friendly as fishing gets. :)

If you're fishing with worms or other live bait I'd recommend some #4 sized snelled hooks (snelled = already have line tied to them), pea-sized splitshot sinkers, and snap swivels to connect the hooks to your main line. Lures will depend entirely on what fish you're after and how you're fishing for them... they're pretty speciallized so sorry I can't help more on that topic.
Lots of useful stuff. Thanks! If it helps at all, I'll be going to Castaic Lake (http://www.castaiclake.com/). I don't really have much more info besides that and misc. logistics about camping/fees and stuff. I believe we'll be using worms.

Can anyone in the West LA/San Fernando Valley area recommend a good tackle store? :)

[Jeffbx]

Good tip that someone else gave to me -

If you're going to catch & release, get yourself some barbless hooks, or at the very least, flatten the barbs out with a pair of pliers before you go out. My kids like to fish off of the dock & mainly catch little 6" or smaller fish, and it makes it MUCH easier to get those hooks out of the fish, plus it's way less traumatic on the fish.

Plus, for me anyway, I like it as a 'just in case' - multiple little kids + fish hooks = SOMEONE's gonna get snagged sooner or later. I'd much rather pull out a smooth hook than take someone to emergency to get out a barbed one.

[MrGreg]

Can you rent equipment (or at least a pole) until you figure out if you enjoy it?

[Prngr44]

I think you'd have better luck trying to borrow a pole from someone than you would finding a place that had beginner/intro poles available for rental.

[Markel]

Hey, don't forget the beer though. That's what fishing is all about. :hihi:

I think you'd have better luck trying to borrow a pole from someone than you would finding a place that had beginner/intro poles available for rental.
I think a combination of these two suggestions is best: tell someone else that's coming (who has surplus equipment) that if they'll loan you the gear, you'll bring the beer! :cheers:

[The Happy Squirrel]

the livelier the bait the better the catch generally fish about 6-9 in off bottom and jig jig jig jig jig

[CornMonkey]

I think a combination of these two suggestions is best: tell someone else that's coming (who has surplus equipment) that if they'll loan you the gear, you'll bring the beer! :cheers:
yeah...i guess i should have thought of that first. i'm the type of guy that always needs to use his own stuff whenever doing something. i'll just try to borrow other ppl's gear. thanks all for the suggestions. and if there aren't any spare poles to go around, i'll bring my DS Lite just in case. hehe.

[Maarchk]

For catfish i generally use Zeke's colorful stuff. Its like red or some bright color, it worked well for me. And i use a bobber? Oh my gosh its been a long time. The white and red thing that sits on the water and holds your bait off the bottom. Just put one up about 3 feet from your hook. that way you can just keep an eye to see if it dances for you.
Depending on the weather, try to find a rock out cropping or something, fish like dark and cooler places to just hang out and nibble so dont just stand in the middle of the beach expecting a party of fish to dance on your line...
Have fun! And take a hat and sun tan lotion. i dont remember much shade there.