Lake fishing!

[Pignut]

Anyone know any good links for fishing tips for total beginers?

I have been bought a load of fishing kit for my birthday but am clueless as to how to use it!! :Thinkingo

I intend to use it for lake fishing but mostly off the beach

Any help would be apreciated

 

[torjusg]

What species do you plan fishing?

Torjus Gaaren

 

[Pignut]

Mackerel off the beach.

In the lakes no idea I was hoping there was a plonk the hook in the water and fish away policy

 

[torjusg]

I have almost never fished in the sea, so I can't help you there. But if you want to know about trout fishing I can probably give you some tips.

Torjus Gaaren

 

[Pignut]

I have almost never fished in the sea, so I can't help you there. But if you want to know about trout fishing I can probably give you some tips.

Torjus Gaaren

Any tips would be good!

Starting with the very basics

 

[Nemisis]

Hey Pignut just found this on amazon has to be worth a try http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...860/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_2_10/203-6164795-7220754 price 1p lol
Dave.

 

[Pignut]

Hey Pignut just found this on amazon has to be worth a try http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...860/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_2_10/203-6164795-7220754 price 1p lol
Dave.

Cant argue with that price!

 

[Nemisis]

I realise its an old book 1962 but its a start and the basic stuff like tying on hooks etc can't be that different I shouldn't think.
Dave.

 

[Pignut]

Indeed!

My thoughts exactly

 

[Nemisis]

This too worth a read the legal stuff http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/399730/?lang=_e
Dave.

 

[torjusg]

Ok, some tips.

Fishing in the middle of the day is normally not much good. Evenings and mornings are normally best.

Look for changing weather patterns. After a long period of draught, sunny weather may stir things up. As may the opposite situation. I find thunderstorms to be good in general (take care if your rod is made of metal substances).

The fish species usually have a comfort temperature. Trout has 13 degrees celcius (arctic char 9). They usually choose a place that offers a good midway between optimal temperature and good feeding prospects. Good places are: Where the lake suddenly deepens, where rivers or creeks run in or out of the lake, inlets and on the tip of peninsulas.

In the spring and autumn. One can often find feeding fish in shallow bays.

I prefer spoon lures (traditional) and spinners (vibrax is my favourite). Don't bother with flashy colours, silver, gold and black is sufficient. Rapalas are ok if you have a boat. Bigger is usually not better with trout as it can be with other fish.

Torjus Gaaren

 

[C_Claycomb]

Start reading magazines. There are a lot of good ones for different types of fishing. I would say go to a book shop and have a browse, but it seems that fishing has fallen from favour somewhat and there are fewer books on it in highstreet shops than there used to be.

Beware of "Fishing for beginners" books, while they are good for showing how to set up tackle and give basic info on what fish live where, they do tend to foster the idea that the rivers and lakes are full of fish all ready to fall on your bait. It can be quite dispiriting if the reality of sitting on a lake shore does not match the book's description.

 

[Gravo]

General fishing try here...

http://www.fishing4fun.co.uk

Sea fishing, try here...

http://www.worldseafishing.com/

Anything specific pm me, fair bit of experience with all types of fishing.... jack of all trades, master of none

 

[Keith_Beef]

I don't know much about fishing, and what little I've learnt so far has mostly come from books.

I think that you have to decide where you can get to easily, then find out what species are found there. Very importantly, get tide tables for the spot.

Having identified the target, you research its habits.

For example, some fish follow the incoming tide; this disturbs the shellfish and worms in the sand, that some fish come in to eat.

K.

 

[sabre iom]

for mackerel you want to be looking at using a set of 4-6 feathers with a weight suited to your rod and line , any shiny / tinsel feathers will do.

a basic rule is per 10lb increase in line you can go up an ounce in weight , tie a 2m length of this to your main line , for mackerel a 15lb main line with a leader of 30lb is gonna be well upto the job.

if its a light spinning rod your using (much better fun than hauling in 50 mackerel a night on feathers!) use a spinner such as a one eye jack or 'macky bar' and use a nice light 3-5lb line.

talk to the guys in your area, they can give you 'marks' to fish from in your area and more local methods of fishing. Sea angler is the best magazine out there and you will find a local club will be more than willing to help get you started.

tight lines!

just re read the thread and noticed you say lake fishing? is it a fresh water if so mackerel are off the menu?!

 

[amott69]

The best thing to do is take you kit down your local lake and ask someone to help you set up, most fishermen would be only to pleased to help you out. If you don't want to take you kit with you just go and watch some one and ask some questions you will learn a lot quicker that way than you would from a book and hopefully get to enjoy the sport.If you need to know anything to do with coarse fishing let me know i ve been fishing for over 25 years and would be more than happy to help you out.

 

[Longstrider]

I'll second Gravo's recommendation of http://www.worldseafishing.com/ for info on sea fishing. Very helpful site when it comes to rigs, knots and tackle in general as well as specifics about species that can be caught.
I fish for just about anything with fins, both fresh and salt water, but my real speciality is pike fishing with lures.
Any specific questions you want answered that I can help with, just let me know.

 

[Pignut]

Thanks for all the info guys

want to do a bit of both salt and fresh water, I would say salt more often!

Is a diferent rod required for both or is one OK (I have a wychwood Rogue Tele-Carp)

 

[sabre iom]

i know a few guys who use carp rods for mullet fishing in the sea, they prefer them to light spinning rods but i think you should take a bit extra care with the fittings as salt water destroys reels and rings if there not made for the job. Once you get into it you need a rod for every type of fish

 

[Longstrider]

I'm guessing that the Tele Carp has a test curve of about 2lbs ? That will mean that it's fine for casting lures and lighter weights up to a couple of ounces, but for more "serious" beach casting you will find that you need a heavier more specialized rod. The tele Carp will be fine for mullet fishing in calmer waters such as harbours and inlets as well as bass fishing with lures or mackerelling with spinners or feathers. Feathers may need a heavier weight than the rod is comfy with in some conditions and with feathers you always stand a chance of hitting a shoal of mackeral and getting one on each feather in the string. Hauling in half a dozen mackerel and your weight might prove more than the rod can bear.
The rod should be perfectly usable as a freshwater lure rod too. Try small spinners and plugs for perch and chub or larger lures for pike. Best to have long forceps or similar and a leather gardening glove for unhooking pike with though. They have over 700 teeth that will make mincmeat of your fingers if you get it wrong. Also make certain to use a wire trace with lures to prevent being "bitten off". Pike fishing is best started by going with someone who knows the score so you can learn from them. If you are mobile and can get to my area I'd be glad to take you out for a days lure chucking sometime. I've plenty of kit so all you would need would be your rod and your reel fitted with 10 to 15 lb line.