Hey need some help from the fisherman out there?

[GoingPostal]

Well my buddies have convinced me to take up fishing with them. Only problem is not one of us have any idea on what were doing so question is what do i need to get started, keeping in mind don't really want to spend to much untill i know how serious i'm going to get into. Be fishing on the lake shore or ocean pier fishing.
Is something like this worth the money

What is a good online resource for beginners to get info on bait, lures, etc.?
thanks in advance for the help. Oh yes we already got our fishing licences

 

[CWS]

Bass pro shop or Cabelas can get you in for underr $100 with a good set up. Also Sposts Chalet in CA.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Chuck beat me to the punch with his excellant suggests. If you go with either one of the two you have pictured go with the first one.

 

[bdc30]

imo

 

[Patrick B]

Find a friendly sales guy at BPS and they'll set you up! Fishing is a perfect excuse to smoke a cigar. Enjoy!

 

[GoingPostal]

Bass pro shop or Cabelas can get you in for underr $100 with a good set up. Also Sposts Chalet in CA.

There isn't a BPS or Cabelas anywhere near me and the sports Chalet is an hour and a half drive. The closest thing we have to a national chain is Big 5 Sporting goods, also walmart. guess i'll hit up the mom and pop shops in the area, they cater to the expierenced fisherman but any good shop should have starter gear. Any sales trap or tricks i should look out for? Basically what are the tell tale signs that the guy is BS ing me and trying to sell me more than i need?

 

[Wink]

I need a little help Also I want to take my girls fishing before summer is out, Haven't fished since I was little, don't have any idea where to start!

 

[PetersCreek]

There isn't a BPS or Cabelas anywhere near me and the sports Chalet is an hour and a half drive. The closest thing we have to a national chain is Big 5 Sporting goods, also walmart. guess i'll hit up the mom and pop shops in the area, they cater to the expierenced fisherman but any good shop should have starter gear. Any sales trap or tricks i should look out for? Basically what are the tell tale signs that the guy is BS ing me and trying to sell me more than i need?

I'd recommend a spinning outfit similiar to this one. Spincasting reels are the simple, economical choice for beginners going for smaller fish in freshwater but I wouldn't use one in salt. Spinning reels don't have the push button simplicity of a spincaster but the learning curve is not that steep. An hour in your backyard with an experienced friend (or maybe without) should give you the basic skills.

 

[PetersCreek]

I need a little help Also I want to take my girls fishing before summer is out, Haven't fished since I was little, don't have any idea where to start!

The PA Fish & Boat Commission has a Fishing Fundamentals page you might find helpful. I started off with a cane pole when I was a kid. I started my kids off with the inexpensive children's rod kits. No need to spend a lot of cash until you find out if they take to it. (Mine didn't)

Keep it fun. Try to find a place with a lot of willing panfish. Have a backup plan for other activities if they get bored silly.

 

[itsme_timd]

I travel to the coast and pier fish occasionally and there's usually a stand setup there that will let you rent all the rod and reel and then sell tackle and bait, they'll even give you some tips on what's biting and how to fish for it. Might be a good place to start to see if it's something you enjoy. Setups will be different if you are fishing on freshwater lakes than if you are pier fishing so if you want to start small it might be best to pick one.

Now, there's also a different style of fishing called Sittinonyerassansmokin, it's quite popular. I've caught some nice fish on a $10.00 rig with a worm resting on the bottom of the lake while I sit in my chair and smoke a cigar - that's pretty good fishin, too. :cbig:

 

[itallushrt]

First of all...

are you going to primarily fishing from a pier?

You said something about shore fishing...lake or surf?

I've been fishing for over 30 years and I'm on the water, fresh and salt, over 130 days a year. Hit me up!

 

[Wink]

A Thanks Brett I was leaning toward those kits I came across them a few months ago. I think I have to get a permit also, then as you said find the right location. I guess I'll start with the permit then so on...

 

[dpricenator]

Big 5 has enough to get started, you just need to find a sales guy that knows what he is talking about.

 

[GoingPostal]

I'd recommend a spinning outfit similiar to this one. Spincasting reels are the simple, economical choice for beginners going for smaller fish in freshwater but I wouldn't use one in salt. Spinning reels don't have the push button simplicity of a spincaster but the learning curve is not that steep. An hour in your backyard with an experienced friend (or maybe without) should give you the basic skills.

Thanks, but i think we are probably going to be salt water fishing off a pier and on the surf. what would you recomend?

 

[GoingPostal]

First of all...

are you going to primarily fishing from a pier?

You said something about shore fishing...lake or surf?

I've been fishing for over 30 years and I'm on the water, fresh and salt, over 130 days a year. Hit me up!

there are two primary fishing spots near where i live. Arroy secco, which is river/creek fishing, and moss landing state beach, rock fishing or surf fishing. and a little father down the way in santa cruz is pier fishing. So I am looking for a rod that will function for all these senarios. Does it exist?

 

[ciggy]

Bass pro shop or Cabelas can get you in for underr $100 with a good set up. Also Sposts Chalet in CA.

Ditto...you'll need a heavy duty rod and real for that type of fishing and good line to boot. These guys will hook you up for sure. I would absolutely not buy the kits you pictured for that style of fishing.

 

[danthebugman]

there are two primary fishing spots near where i live. Arroy secco, which is river/creek fishing, and moss landing state beach, rock fishing or surf fishing. and a little father down the way in santa cruz is pier fishing. So I am looking for a rod that will function for all these senarios. Does it exist?

You can probably find a setup that will work for both those types of fishing, but you'll find that it'll be mediocre at best in either enviornment. Best to get a surf set up and then a river/creek set up. I've never fished in the surf so I can't help you much there. However I have done a lot of creek fishing. My favorite set up for creeks around here is either a 6' ultra light with spider wire and a 4# monofilament leader or a 5 weight fly rod. For just starting out though, and since you'll be fishing rivers also, you may want to opt for a slightly beefier set up. Perhaps a light to med/light action that will allow a more versitle selection or lures/bait. I prefer spinning reels, but some have issues with them and always seem to be untangling "bird nests". Spin cast reels are easy to use and rugged. You should be able to get a decent set up for under $100. Other than that I would highly recommend either Googling fishing knots or checking out YouTube and practice until you're comfortable tying a few basic ones.

Dan

 

[GoingPostal]

Well thanks to all the advice, so looks like ocean fishing is gonna be what we focus on so i settled on this. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TZ811E/ref=asc_df_B002TZ811E1202390/?tag=smartercom-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B002TZ811E&linkCode=asn"]Amazon.com: Shakespeare Catch More Fish Surf/Pier Spin Combo (CMFSURFPIER CMF CMBO 50RL 7FT M 10): Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bXTkMlVvL.@@AMEPARAM@@31bXTkMlVvL[/ame]. I know it's not the best but figured it was a good starting rod, without making a big investment. going out sunday, let you know how it turn out

 

[Robinsond]

Good luck on the water my friend!

 

[CWS]

Well thanks to all the advice, so looks like ocean fishing is gonna be what we focus on so i settled on this. Amazon.com: Shakespeare Catch More Fish Surf/Pier Spin Combo (CMFSURFPIER CMF CMBO 50RL 7FT M 10): Sports & Outdoors. I know it's not the best but figured it was a good starting rod, without making a big investment. going out sunday, let you know how it turn out

I have a 25 year old Shakespeare reel that still works fine. Have fun.