Fishing Kit for a Novice Angler

by Svetlana · October 27, 2019

Fishing is widely popular around the globe and for a reason. Not only can it be either group or individual activity, but both people who want to compete and those who need to relax can enjoy angling. No matter if you plan spending an afternoon with friends outdoors or if you want couple of hours away from the busy city, fishing can be the perfect solution for your leisure time. In case, for any of the above mentioned reasons, you have finally decided to become an angler, it’s time to get an appropriate fishing kit box for beginners.

No matter how motivated you are, it requires some preparation when you start out as an angler. It’s a little bit more complicated than simply going to a hardware store for some basic equipment. There are various fishing kits for beginners and these can be both pricey and cheap. You should, however, know what exactly you need for the most enjoyable beginning in your, hopefully, long and fruitful angling career. So, let’s take a look at some basics!

Fishing Kits for Beginners

Fortunately, there’s no reason to get into debt to buy a decent fishing kit. As a beginner, it’s highly recommended to stick with the most essential equipment. Later, you’ll be able to decide what type of gear could help you enjoy angling more. Not to mention that it takes time to learn how to use complicated and sophisticated equipment. At this point, however, the basics will do the trick.

Rods & Reels

Surely, this is something everyone knows; rod and reel are the essentials for both experienced anglers and beginners. To a complete novice, the wide range of fishing rods and reels on the market can be quite confusing. As a matter of fact, some reels are puzzling to professionals too.

The most common types of fishing reels nowadays are:

Spinning reels – used for both freshwater and saltwater angling. They are simple to use and, after a couple of casts, everyone can figure out how to operate them.
Baitcasting reels – even though powerful and reliable, prone to tangles. Using them requires skill, therefore these reels aren’t the best choice for a novice.
Spincast reels – probably the best choice for beginners. Not only is their price commonly rather affordable, but spincast reels are also as simple to use as possible. Once you master angling, the chances are you’ll find these reels too restricting and you’ll want to use another type.
Fly reels – reliable and durable, yet simple. To use them appropriately, it takes some time and practice.

When it comes to fishing rods, they should, of course, fit your fishing reel. Furthermore, you should take their weight and length into account. Although every weight and length you feel comfortable with can be your choice, shorter rods are easier to handle and, therefore, probably more adequate for a novice. Fiberglass rods are durable, strong and, in general, cheaper than graphite rods or those made from composite materials.

Hooks

Even though baits and lures are designed to attract the fish, without the hook you cannot finish the process of catching your prey. Usually, a hook is a disposable piece and, therefore, it’s necessary to have hook packs when you go fishing.

There are circle, treble, single and double hooks, but the single one is the most comfortable to use. For that reason, a single hook should be your primary choice when entering the angling world.

Fishing Lines

Many beginners make the same mistake; while picking the right rod and reel, they neglect how important fishing lines are. When catching fish, it may be vital to have the right line. When you purchase a reel, you are likely to get a few line rolls with it. Nonetheless, these lines are usually not of the best quality, so it would be better to buy new ones separately.

Different line types are suitable for different fishing conditions and situations. Monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided lines are the most common fishing line types. As a novice, you should probably pick the monofilament lines, since they are suitable for most reels. Monofilament fishing lines are perfect for angling in shallow waters.

Baits & Lures

It’s not enough to simply throw the fishing line into the water, you need to attract the fish too. In order to do that, anglers put live baits or artificial lures at the end of the line. It’s not easy to say which is better, since that depends on anglers’ personal preferences and the fishing technique.

We recommend experimenting with various types of baits and lures. Soon enough you’ll find out your own favorite you’ll put in your fishing kit box.

Floaters or Bobbers

As the name suggests, this piece of equipment will help you keep the bait/lure close to the surface. In addition, floaters or bobbers make it easier for an angler to determine when the fish nibbles.

Fishing Tackle Box

When fishing, you need a box where you can store all the gears and tackles. Obviously, as a novice, you won’t need incredibly big tackle box. A simple one with several trays would do. Sometimes if you buy a backpack for fishing, you get a tackle box too. In any case, a box should have a good latch.

Other Useful Fishing Items

Above mentioned equipment is necessary for fishing, but there are also some things you’ll need for your first angling experience.

Sinkers – The name pretty much explains what the sinkers do. They carry lures or baits to the depths where fish are likely to be found. Although there are a wide variety of sinkers, split shots are the cheapest and, for a novice angler, they’ll do the trick.

A Pair of Pliers – When fishing, a pair of pliers comes in handy in numerous ways. For instance, you use them to attach sinkers to the line or to remove a hook from the mouth of the fish you have caught.

Swivel – This piece of equipment is helpful for experienced anglers, but more than necessary for a newbie. Sometimes, baits or lures can spin the line causing it to twist. To prevent that, it is recommended to use swivels. They connect the line and the lure, allowing the lure to move without twisting the line. If you realize you prefer live baits to artificial lures, swivels should be by all means in your fishing kit box.

Additionally, you should invest in a proper fishing knife, sunglasses and a first-aid kit. For your fishing trip, you will also need a hat, sunscreen, a towel, gloves, a small bucket, some food and water. Finally, to keep everything legal, take the fishing license with you and make sure that angling is allowed in certain location.