When you’re new, it’s easy to overthink or over-buy. Resist the urge to load up on too much gear. You don’t need a dozen rods or a tackle box full of gadgets. Start with a basic setup:
- A medium-strength rod and reel (spinning combos are great for beginners)
- A few hooks, weights, and floats
- A small selection of bait (like worms or sweetcorn)
- A landing net and a tackle box
This will cover most coarse fishing scenarios and keep things manageable.
2. Learn One Method at a Time
There are loads of ways to fish—float fishing, ledgering, feeder fishing, lure casting, fly fishing—and it’s tempting to try them all. But early on, focus on mastering just one technique. Float fishing on stillwaters is a great place to begin: it’s visual, interactive, and helps you learn how fish behave.
Once you’re confident, you can try different methods and see what suits you best.
3. Pick the Right Place to Learn
Your fishing location makes a big difference. Try fishing at a well-stocked commercial fishery or a quiet local pond. These places often have:
- Clear swims
- Friendly staff or fellow anglers
- Consistent fish activity
Avoid hard, pressured venues or wild rivers until you’re a bit more confident.
4. Time of Day Matters
Fish don’t bite the same all day long. Early morning and late afternoon are often the best times to fish—especially in summer. Fish tend to feed more actively during cooler parts of the day, and it’s generally more peaceful too.
Midday in bright sunlight can be tough, especially in shallow or clear waters.
5. Use the Right Bait
Worms, maggots, sweetcorn, and bread are perfect starter baits. They’re cheap, effective, and easy to use. Don’t worry about complicated bait mixes or boilies until later.
Ask your local tackle shop what’s working at the venue you’re fishing—they’ll usually be happy to help.
6. Stay Organised
Fishing can be surprisingly fiddly—especially when you’re juggling hooks, line, bait, and a bit of wind. Stay organised:
- Keep your gear tidy
- Prepare rigs or hooklengths before you leave
- Bring a towel and something to sit on
- Use a small tackle tray to avoid losing bits and bobs in the grass
Being prepared makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable.
7. Learn a Few Key Knots
You only need a couple of solid knots to start with:
- Improved Clinch Knot – for tying hooks or swivels
- Loop Knot – for attaching rigs or creating loops
Practice at home with thicker string or cord. Once you’ve got them down, tying on the bank becomes much easier.
8. Stay Safe and Legal
In the UK, you need a rod licence to fish freshwater for most species (except sea fishing). It’s easy to get online and very affordable.
Also:
- Check whether your chosen venue requires a day ticket
- Be mindful of closed seasons on rivers (usually March to mid-June)
- Respect wildlife and fellow anglers
- Always take your litter home
Safety-wise, watch your footing near water, wear sunscreen, and bring plenty of water if it’s hot.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
One of the best things about the fishing community is that most anglers are happy to help. Don’t be shy—ask someone what bait they’re using or how they’re setting up. Tackle shop owners are also a brilliant source of advice.
We’ve all been beginners once, and many anglers enjoy sharing what they know.
10. Be Patient—and Enjoy the Process
Fishing isn’t always about catching. Sometimes you’ll blank, sometimes the fish just won’t bite. That’s part of the game.
Use those quiet moments to:
- Watch the water
- Notice bird and fish activity
- Try different casts or depths
- Just relax and soak it all in
The more time you spend on the water, the more you’ll learn—and the more rewarding your catches will feel.