Fishing Tips for the Beginner

Ready to try fishing for the first time? Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you head out the door with visions of your day's catch.

Getting started on the right foot will save you precious time later for relaxing and enjoying your first day fishing.

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Know the Terminology

Your choice of rod depends on the variety of fish you wish to catch. The best advice to follow here would be to consult with your local fishing outfitter on what fish are most common in your area. For now, here's some terminology to help you get a leg-up when discussing your options with the store clerk or friendly fishing aficionado.

First, there is rod action and rod power. Rod action refers to the degree of bend a rod permits. Generally, the faster the action, the less flexibility and normally reserved for the more experienced fisherman.

Rod power has to do with how much weight the rod can handle in terms of line and lure. These range from ultra-light to heavy rods.

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One of the more common mistakes made by the amateur angler is to purchase a fishing line that is too heavy. Eight to ten pound test lines are plenty for most fishing. In tandem with the right rod, these lines are capable of landing a relatively large fish.

This is an often misunderstood item but crucial if you intend to lure a fish to your hook. Try starting off with some of the essentials: worms, crank bait, spinner bait and a few plastic worms for when your live ones run out.

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