Fishing - Anybody doing any ?

That's a really helpful post thank you for taking the time to write it.

I'll pop into the local angling shop near me in the week and see what they have available and report back if I pick anything up.

I've book marked the forum and had a wick scan through but I'll register and have a proper read when I get a chance.

I heard about the unhooking mats and they sound like a useful going to have so I'll pick one up too.

Again thank you for replying.
 
Happy to help :)

Good shout on the unhooking mat, my unhooking mat cost about a fiver from Go Outdoors so it doesn't have to cost a fortune. You won't need an unhooking mat for smaller species like Roach but you may catch one of the bigger species like Tench or even a Carp. An unhooking mat is basically used to protect the fish, but it gives you a chance to have a look at the fish, weigh it if you want to and maybe take a quick photo.

Unhook any fish you catch while they are still in the landing net or you are holding the fish over the landing net which is resting on your knees. That way if the fish squirms from your grasp there's a good chance it'll fall into the hanging net and save it from hitting the ground and you from losing the fish.

Something else I forgot is bait tubs. I've been using the Drennan Maggiboxes (https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/Shop/CarpFishingBucketsBaitBoxes/Drennan-Bait-Maggiboxes-22pt-Green.htm) for years and they are only a couple of quid each. I'd probably get 3 x 2.2-pint bait boxes to start with, which will allow you to take 3 different baits - say 1 for maggot, 1 for worms and 1 for sweetcorn.

While I mention sweetcorn, you don't need to buy the expensive tinned stuff from the tackle shop - I get bags of frozen sweetcorn from supermarkets for about a quid a bag. Worms can be expensive too so try to collect them from the garden at night to save you some money. A pint of red maggots will cost you about £2.50 or something and will probably be more than enough for a days fishing. Maggots can be kept in the fridge (if the boss agrees) for a good few days, so find out what you need to do in order to keep them fresh and clean - the less money you spend on bait the more money you have for new tackle!

Another bit of crucial advice (that a lot of even experienced anglers wish they took more notice of) is to always keep a hand on your rod if the hook is in the water. With float fishing you'll more than likely be holding your rod anyway but if you put the rod in the rod rests with the hook in the water there's a chance that a big fish can come along and pull your rod into the water if you're not paying attention, and it happens in the blink of an eye - I know many anglers that it has happened to. They can be sat watching a quiver tip for hours and someone walks by behind them, turn around to say hello and that's it, when you turn back round your expensive rod and reel is gone!

Like I say, any questions or anything feel free to ask :)
 
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King85 said:
I was looking at cheaper ones to begin with such as the Okuma and the Dawia before I go spending loads.

Any experience with those?
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ive got a pair of Daiwa bite n run reels that i paid £75 each for 24 years ago,
they still work ok but within weeks of buying them the 'click' disappeared from the ratchet and the rear drag knobs seemed low quality as they sit at an angle, like they'd been threaded,
i wish id got Shimano baitrunners instead.
 
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King85 said:
:)

What brands for reels would you recommend?
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That's a tricky question. I have my favourite brands but other people may slate mine and recommend others. I have mainly Shimano reels but I also have Drennan and Greys reels. Diawa reels are very well regarded also but I've never owned one of those.

The Greys (GFS 30) reel is actually a reel I'd recommend for you. They were on sale for about £25 at one time, reduced from £50+ but they were very well regarded.

Just found a new one on Ebay... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Greys-Gfs...884868?hash=item2ef29d3604:g:jgAAAOSwARZXmhBj

It's like anything really, get the best reel you can afford or is practical, as a good reel will last for years. If fishing is something you think you'll do a lot of then it will be of benefit to get a more expensive one. With just starting out however I would say £25 max will get you a great reel that will last a good few years.

With float fishing you want quite a small, compact reel, I usually go for the 3000 size, or maybe even smaller. Just having a quick look I see this one for £25 http://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/daiwa-procaster-x-fast-drag-reel which looks good. There's a couple of other Diawa's that are around the same price. The budget Shimano's are always popular and can be had for around £15.

Personally, I would steer clear of Okuma reels as I have heard that they are prone to developing faults and are a nightmare to get fixed. Again though, a lot of people use them. You will not go wrong with a Diawa or Shimano, imo.

Edit: got the wrong price for that Diawa one, I swear it said £25 when I looked at it! Here's an alternative http://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/daiwa-sweepfire-x-rear-drag-reel
 
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The sweep fire was one of the ones I'd seen so I'll probably go for that or one of the shimanos then depending on what they have at the shop.

I didn't realise the shimanos were that cheap tbh so I'll definitely check them out.

I'm happy to upgrade to better quality if fishing is something I enjoy after a few goes. I've anyways liked collecting bits for hobbies so it's something I'd enjoy.
 
Yeah, fishing is definitely the hobby for you if you like collecting lots of bits and bobs, it's never ending! You'll end up with different sized reels, different sized landing nets, millions of different hooks, a dozen different hooks lengths, 6 or 7 rods, etc etc.

You start out being perfectly happy with one reel and one rod and a few hooks but before you know it you need a wheel barrow to help you transport your gear! :D
 
Dr.Eddie said:
A fishing licence would still be needed (https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/when-you-need-a-licence - http://www.postoffice.co.uk/rod-fishing-licence).

Here is an excellent video by Matt Hayes that will walk you through everything you need for float fishing on a lake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5mbRbTWIvo

Edit: He's targeting Carp in that video but it's basically the same for Roach, just maybe use lighter terminal tackle (the hook end).



If it were me I'd buy separately, there's some really good gear about these days for not that much cash. I've never been that impressed with the full kits whenever I've looked at them.

Make a list of the main tackle you need and get that first, then get whatever terminal tackle you need.

Bobco (http://www.bobcotackle.co.uk/) usually have bank holiday discounts/sales on, with the next one being on the 29th.

Also, http://www.maggotdrowning.com/forum/default.asp is an excellent fishing forum I visit regularly.
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Cheers squire
 
Dr.Eddie said:
Yeah, fishing is definitely the hobby for you if you like collecting lots of bits and bobs, it's never ending! You'll end up with different sized reels, different sized landing nets, millions of different hooks, a dozen different hooks lengths, 6 or 7 rods, etc etc.

You start out being perfectly happy with one reel and one rod and a few hooks but before you know it you need a wheel barrow to help you transport your gear! :D
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Or you will end up with a single rod .. specialising in just one thing.
 
Decided to try get back into fishing. Use to love fishing for carp on the pole

I have already ordered a load of stuff but just wondering if there is anything big i am missing.

Seat Box with drawers
Margin Pole
Pole roller
Landing pole and net
Carp landing net and handle
Brolly
Bank sticks
Bait boxes
Elastics
Lead shots
Bait needles, hair stops, forceps, disgorgers, bands
Pole rigs
Plummets
Unhooking mat

Will go fetch a fishing licence once it all arrives.

Ignoring baits as ill buy them on the day, is there anything crucial i am missing to get back started in pole fishing? should have really asked before clicking the order button. :rolleyes:

Thanks
 
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