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Hi, are there any anglers out there?

I would like to get into a little fishing this year, lake fishing & maybe river fishing. Mainly for holidays etc. Can anyone recomend a starter rod and reel, and what other (non expensive!) gear would I need? We have a cash generator shop where we live that has lots of second hand rod 'n' reels in stock for about £15 - £25, but I don't know what sort I would need. Any suggestions welcome.

Try Bennetts of Sheffield they do Mail Order

http://www.bosfish.co.uk/

Thanks guys,

Argos seem to do some great value starter kits. Also checking out Bennetts.

Happy New Year!

I would be looking for a general purpose float rod around 12 foot long paired with any reel capable of holding at least 100yds of 4-6lbs line..4-6lbs line allows you the option of tying a hooklength of lesser breaking strain say 2-3lbs(or less) to your main line for fishing for silver fish..ie roach/dace etc..but still gives you the option of fishing the 4-6lbs line straight through to your hook if fishing on the float for bigger species like carp/tench etc...Also a multi tip(usually 3) feeder rod for distance fishing on the bottom..The 3 tip rod again gives you the option of fishing 3 diffrent sizes of weights usually light/medium/heavy depending on what your fishing for..and I would pair the feeder rod with a reel with a baitrunner facility built in..Okuma(sp) do some reasonable reels in the £15-20 bracket...If big(ish) Carp are your quarry Wychwood do some reasonable starter rods/reels..in the £50 bracket..As Hawk said above fishing is all about practise and learning as you go..So go...enjoy.

Jelboy.

Ps: You could perhaps start off with a smaller rod for float fishing..but a 12 footer gives you better control of the line when fishing at diistance..and of course aids netting/bringing to hand any fish you hook..and in any of those fiddly rig changes that occur from time to time when fishing

Bennits are very good.. Customer service is brilliant.

If its young kids aswell start them with a pole rather than a rod and reel combo.

Kids with a pole get on alot quicker i take my boys 3 and 5 years old and they do just fine with a little help.

:)

Thanks Jellboy and Andy,

Our son is three so this summer will be perfect for getting him involved.

Cheers guys.

Hi Glyn

Keep your eyes out for taster days with the Environment Agency. They do events at variuos places throughout the summer, where your lad can have a session with a licensed angling coach.Session's can be around half an hour but is enough to get him hooked. And the good news is these sessions are generally FREE

Lu Pitt as a post on fishing tackle and placed this link   http://whitbyanglingsupplies.com/   there is a starter kit for 25 pounds, which appears to be very good value, most decent fishing tackle shops will be only too pleased to offer help and assistance,if river or canal fishing dont forget that you need an eviroment license or a hefty fine can be given I think its a similar case in France, licenses in France seem to be sold from the ' Tabac ' shops, nice touch having a coffee beer or glass of vino whilst your licence is written out I found French fishermen to be very friendly and helpful.

Regards  Stew

Quote: Originally posted by arcuk73 on 07/1/2009

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Bennits are very good.. Customer service is brilliant.

If its young kids aswell start them with a pole rather than a rod and reel combo.

Kids with a pole get on alot quicker i take my boys 3 and 5 years old and they do just fine with a little help.

:)

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Yep Glyn I'd endorse Andy's Idea of starting the wee lad(3yrs old) off on a 3m pole usually called a whip..The whip is a telescopic pole that extends out by 3-4 sections and the line usually 2-3lbs breaking strain attaches directly to the pole through a small eye at the top..couple this with a pole float and a hooklength of maybe 1 1/2lbs tied to a size 18 eyed hook and I'll bet he will have great fun fishing the margins of any pond/lake with it..The whip does away with the need for a reel (thus avoiding tangles) and the cast is a simple flick out with the bait(usually maggots) loose feeding 4-5 maggots each cast to more or less the same spot each time to bring the fish in and get them feeding...

Jelboy.

Great advice everyone, thank you.