I am currently in Haarlem, Netherlands so there’s no shortage of water ways, canals and lakes but I don’t know the best method to catch these fish.

I bought a starter kit in a local fishing shop, consists of:

24 grubs,
8 sinkers,
45 hooks ( 3 sizes: one a little smaller than an inch lengthwise, one an exact inch, and the other a little bigger than an inch. )
9 swivels,
4 floats,
3 jigs,
3 spinner blades,
1 stringer
and 6 pound line.

Th rod is a shakespeare telescopic, pretty cheap. Maybe 4.5 to 5 foot long.

Any advice on how to set that up for freshwater fish would be great!

Try setting your float (the smallest one) about 2 feet from the end of your line. Tie a plane hook on. Grubs may work. but worms and leeches work better. Hope this works.

Right, Ive spent hours aimlessly surfing different websites looking for a complete fishing kit not necesarily for beginners but just an all round decent set (for under £15).

Ive found a telescopic rod/reel combo I like here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V…

Me and a mate want to go fishing here in Winchester, Hampshire (UK NOT AMERICA) on the River Itchen. We’ve been told the river contains "mixed coarse fish and game" whatever that means and I just want to make sure the rod is the right one before we purchase a couple. Are they good enough?

Also, Im trying to find on ebay a small starter kit/box that contains all the necessary equipment like hooks (which one is best for the river barbed or non-barbed), weights, floats and whatever else we need, but dont want to pay more than a fiver for it. Is it better to get these sepretaly?

Is this all we need to get started fishing in the river? What bait is the best maggots or "boolies" (spelling may be well off) or is there something better?

Were not looking for a world class fishing set just something cheap and chearful cost is the prime factor. Ive been fishing a couple of times before and used a basice red/white plastic round float, about 30cm or so down the line i put a size 8 barbless hook, and a fishing weight (it was kind of pear shaped not the small ball ones) and used maggots as bait. It worked succesfully in Holland when I was there but I went in England once and it didnt work not a single bite what am i doing wrong.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.
ok im going to start a new question to continue this thanks for your answers so far.

I’m a member of EADAC (Eastleigh and District Angling Club) and we fish that water.
For a cheap rod and reel and advice go to Dennis at:
Eastleigh Angling Centre
325 Market Street, EASTLEIGH, SO50 5QE
023 80653540

Argos is another good place for cheap gear (spot on Magicmus) but you can’t beat local advice.

The Itchen is Gin clear and so the fish spook easy. Maggots work well with small hooks but boilies are really for still lakes and carp, unless you are near the winchester lakes and then using boilies in the Itchen for Carp would require stronger gear. Try Luncheon meat, sweetcorn or bread paste. Look under cow pats for worms.

Please make sure you have licences and day tickets. Fines from the river authorities are up to £2500.

Hello from Somerset (UK)!

I am a complete newbie when it comes to fishing, and I do not have any friends who fish so everything I learn is from magazines and books.

I have a bare minimum of equipment which I think may be sub-standard and quite old; it has been scrounged from car boot sales and salvaged from the bargain bins of discount camping shops!

Basically I want to try my hand at fishing in a stocked lake near me. I have a free day tomorrow and so I thought I might head over there with a packed lunch and enjoy the ’summer’ by the lakeside. Any fish I catch would be an unexpected bonus. I’d really like to know if the kit I have is adequate and meets the requirements of the fishery. Here’s a link to their website:

http://www.viaductfishery.com/

I have a telescopic rod by ‘Shakespeare’ (about 8-9 ft) and a reel that looks very dated; it’s small and is basically a narrow spool with a handle. I have several lures with three-pronged hooks, and a pre-rigged float with a small hook attached. For bait I have a can of sweetcorn.

Would this be sufficient for fishing such a lake? Obviously I am not after monster carp, just smaller species that can indicate what it is actually like to fish. I’m just worried that A) my kit won’t meet the fishery rules and B) everyone else there will think I’m a bit of a moron for having such basic, old kit. Here is a picture of the reel I have:

http://a1bassfishinginfo.com/2009/05/fly-fishing-reels-know-your-facts/

Obviously I am a complete novice but I really just want to get going, and I can barely afford the £8 fee to get in the fishery so I’m really doing this on a super-tight budget!

Do fishery staff tend to be wandering around to check kit and make sure nobody’s misbehaving, or are you just left quietly to your own devices in stocked lakes? I just want some quiet time without embarrassment.

Thanks!

Don’t be embarassed at being a novice. Everyone has to start somewhere and my bet is that, if you ask for advice, the staff there will fall over themselves to give it. Remember it’s in their interests to ensure that you have a good and successful day as much as it is in yours. That way you’ll go back. You’ll also find that the other anglers are likely to be keen to help out. Angling is a very friendly sport.

So far as your gear is concerned, your rod and reel are not ideal, but they’ll do. You will find most people using longer rods – either "feeder" or "float" rods, and fixed spool reels. Most people start off float fishing but then change to feeders later. It’s not that they’re any harder to use, it’s just that most people get increasingly addicted to carp fishing once they’ve caught a few and feeder fishing works well with carp.

Forget the lures and treble hooks completely. I love lure fishing, but it’s an absolute no-no on commercial sites.

Your bait is fine. Sweetcorn works about as well anything on commercial fisheries and half the people there will be using it.

I realise that you’re on a tight budget, but there are a couple of things I would recommend you spend a little money on at the site’s shop. First of all, there are some big carp in there, so I recommend 8lb main line. 100 yards is all you’ll need. Buy yourself a pre-weighted carp waggler float (the shop will show you how to mount it) some split shot and a pack of barbless pre-tied hooks. Size 12 or 14 would be about right. The total bill won’t be much more than £10. You’ll then have a setup that can cope with most of what comes your way. If you do hook into a big carp hang on though. They don’t half pull back!

The site will have a few rules. They’ll be clearly displayed. Just spend a moment or two looking at them and make sure you follow them. After that I doubt that anyone will check up on you.

One last point though, make sure you have an Environment Agency rod licence. If you are on a tight budget you can buy a day licence for £3.50 on line from their website. Don’t spoil your day by getting nicked and taken to court! Here’s the link

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/31497.aspx

I hope you have a great day. Wish I was there with you!

i am thinking to have a go at beach casting, i have never done it before. is a telescopic rod ok or would i be better off having the more conventional sort of rod that splits into two parts. also is 10ft long ok or shall i go for 12 ft.and what rigs shall i use any advice would be appreciated

Are you gonna actually fish from the Beach ( a pier would be better to start ). Due to the distances often required to reach the fish from the beach a longer rod is an advantage , and good casting technique .
Stear clear of telescopic rods anywhere near sand , they can so easily jam up and become one piece.
On most beaches you will need to cast 80 to 100 yards to get amongst fish , now if you go to a local park and pace out 100 yards you’ll see it’s quite a distance .
Where as fishing from a pier you can drop down the side , or cast moderate distances and still be in with a very good chance of catching fish.
As for rigs keep it as simple as possible ( think aerodynamic ) the less there is the less drag the further it goes .Don’t forget a shock leader , you’ll want 15lb main line ( optimum for casting ) then whatever weight you’re gonna need to hold bottom ( don’t know where abouts you are ) lets say 5oz so for every 1oz = 10lb , you want a 50lb shock leader 2 rod lengths between your main line and your rig .
Hope that gives you a start

Looking to get a beachcaster whilst doon in s.shields, I’m nae sure what to get in regards to the rod and reel, a multiple or fixed spool? I’m not sure of the advantages of having either. My old rod is a fixed spool, so I have larger rings on the underside of the rod instead of more and smaller rings.

Is there any benefit or should I just happily carry on with a FS setup?

Just gunna be fishing off piers and beaches, looking to get a rod between 12-16ft, 8 oz load.

Oh yeah, is it worth going for a telescopic rod for ease of storage and transport (I live in halls of accomodation, so I don’t have a garage!!)

I think (in American terms) you’re asking about the difference between a conventional ("multiplier") reel and a spinning (fixed spool") reel. Since the two reels operate differently, personal preference is going to come into the decision.

Spinners are easier to cast, while with conventionals you have to slow the spool with your thumb to prevent backlashes, however, that gives you better control over your casts. Personally, I like conventional reels, especially if I’m casting heavy weights (like 8 ounces), however I think most surf fishermen prefer spinning reels, and as that’s what you’re used to, I’d stick with that.

I don’t think telescoping rods (where the parts slide inside each other for transportation) are especially strong; I’d suggest a 2 or 3 piece rod (where the pieces come apart) instead. (One piece rods are best, but a 12-footer is too much unless you live right on the beach.)

Hope this helps.

would any of you use a telescoping fishing pole to fish? why or why not?
heres an example of one:

http://www.fishing-tackle-manufacturers.com/picture/fishing-rods/telescopic-fishing-pole.jpg

No, I will never use a telescopic ever. They’re poorly made, very low quality, the joints stick or come out easily, they just are not worth it.

ok here it is:
1 telescopic roach pole 22 ft
2 carp rods brand new 3 pces 12ft 6
1 complete fly fishing set fly fishing set brand new.
1 debut 8 foot spinning rod.
1 assassin combi float rod 17 ft
1 2 peics rod 13ft
1 3 peice rod set 18 ft
1 redwolf roach pole 11 mtrs
1 2peice graphite ledger 10 ft 6
2 2 peicse power plus feeders 11 ft 6
1 2 peice abu garcia carp rod brand new 12 ft
1 johnwilson barble 5 peice rod
1 FTD 300 2 peice 3 mtr rod
2 specialists 14ft rods
1 carbonate RD9i8 10 foot rod
1 2 peice fly fishing rod 9 foot
1 redwolf boat rod 7 ft
1 roach pole 14 ft
2 interceptor rods 3 peice 12 ft 6 inches

They are all my rods, please try to estimate a price as it is going to a young girls trust for the future.

Heres my reels:
1 Sm 4000 clapxe reel
3 RD302 reels
1 Beach casting reel
2 Brutus bait runners f/drag
3 Tilstar reels
2 obsession leeda carp reels (brand new)
4 interceptor reels
2 fly reels
1 ARGO res system reel
2 abu garicia 1044
also:
1 Brutus bait runne front drag reel
1 Sea fishing reel

For everything there I would say anywhere from $450-$650. Fly combos are expensive enough, so maybe more, maybe less.
I will take it off your hands for free
-Fishingidiot-

I recently tried fishing while on holiday with a new telescopic rod I bought. I found trying to cast out impossible, even with a weight on the end of the line. The line would get caught, or just tangle up. It looked so easy when others do it. Is there a knack?or do I have a crap reel. In the end I had to just lower the line down into the water over where I was sitting.

Ryan G makes a very good point when using a telescoping fishing rod. It’s very easy to get your line wrapped around the rod unintentionally.
Other than that you should check to see that your line is wound properly onto the spool and not tangled onto interior working parts. This happens often on spin-cast reels that are spooled with too much line.
When reeling in your line keep a slight pressure on it by holding it between your fingers. It helps the line to spool evenly and helps detect light bites.

Best of luck.

i want a telescopic rod that can handle up to 10 pound of fish . . like carp and pike any idea on a product ?? . also preferably easy to travel with

any would be welcomed

thank you

Ugly Stik makes a Telescopic that "might" handle bigger fish.

BUT, I wouldn’t bet on it.

Telescopic rods tend to have major issues, (after a couple outings the blanks stick together and won’t telescope anymore; they BREAK easily; and are usually made from inferior graphite; ETC), and seem to always "break" when you need one.

I suggest you look into purchasing a "pack rod" or a 4 piece rod. In my opinion, you won’t find a telescopic rod that can handle 10LB plus fish on a regular basis………… (however, if your looking to catch some Bluegill or small Stream Trout a Telescopic rod would be fine……..maybe…..lol)

Here are a couple pack rods of distinction-

- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0053455122640a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=pack+rod&sort=all&Go.y=9&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=16&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0053457122473a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=pack+rod&sort=all&Go.y=9&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=16&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Hope this helps ya? Good fishing.

Right, Ive spent hours aimlessly surfing different websites looking for a complete fishing kit not necesarily for beginners but just an all round decent set (for under £15).

Ive found a telescopic rod/reel combo I like here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300308835172

Me and a mate want to go fishing here in Winchester, Hampshire (UK NOT AMERICA) on the River Itchen. We’ve been told the river contains "mixed coarse fish and game" whatever that means and I just want to make sure the rod is the right one before we purchase a couple. Are they good enough?

Also, Im trying to find on ebay a small starter kit/box that contains all the necessary equipment like hooks (which one is best for the river barbed or non-barbed), weights, floats and whatever else we need, but dont want to pay more than a fiver for it. Is it better to get these sepretaly?

Is this all we need to get started fishing in the river? What bait is the best maggots or "boolies" (spelling may be well off) or is there something better?

Were not looking for a world class fishing set just something cheap and chearful cost is the prime factor. Ive been fishing a couple of times before and used a basice red/white plastic round float, about 30cm or so down the line i put a size 8 barbless hook, and a fishing weight (it was kind of pear shaped not the small ball ones) and used maggots as bait. It worked succesfully in Holland when I was there but I went in England once and it didnt work not a single bite what am i doing wrong.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.
Its the basics I want, I dont want to look like a tit, or have to endure a 3 hour lecture from some know it all grandpa, I want to know specifics, either answer it or leave it alone.
I appreciate what I said was a bit on the strong side, but im sick of people giving me lectures about just "going out there". If I had the will to walk 3 miles to my nearest tackle shop I would do it, but since Im only going for a few weekends of fishing as a means of having some good social fun I dont think I want to get into the nitty gritty parts of it I just want a basic set up that will do the job. I dont understand why people just cant answer the question that is being asked. If they dont know the answer, then putting things like "You need a license you will get fined" isnt going to help, i know you need a license, i didnt ask if you needed a license, i asked for specifics.

Have a look at the rods, rate the best one if you can, and help me, if not i dont need a lecture i needed specifics but since its too late to order this stuff for saturday my whole weekend which ive been planning for weeks is ruined and i wont be able to go fishing for a good months or so since i have exams

is there a reason that you particularly want a telescoping rod? is it because you guys have small little cars there in europe? something about telescoping rods make me not trust them. i always try to buy 2 piece 7ft rod/reel combo. So, important info that you’re missing is, what you’re fishing for. That would be needed in order to answer what the best bait is, but when you’re on your way to the river itchen, when you get in the vicinity, find a bait store and ask them which is better. if they dont know then ask what sells more. barb/no barb hooks really depend on the local laws, the river by my house will fine you if you’re caught using a barbed hook. That’s because they need to be strict on the salmon population and dont want fish being injured by barbs. im guessing you’re fishing for carp but i still cant help you because i dont fish for carp. If you plan on fishing maybe 2-3 times a year then i think that tele rod will suffice especially if its in your price range but among anglers tele rods sacrifice much durability for a gain of little convenience.