Getting Started

Know where and when you plan to go.

You should visit a potential new fishing location before you plan an excursion.

• Talk to some of the fishermen that are already there (if there are any). Learn what you can from them.
  • Compliment their equipment and ask them about it, especially their rod and reel. Get a sense for what works in the area and why.
  • Note what lures they are using and how they are using them.
  • Make note of their terminal tackle, snap swivel and or leader.
  • Make note of what they are wearing, particularly on their feet.
  • Ask if success at the location depends on the tides and if so, what tides are the best.
  • Ask if the time of day is important and what times are best.
• Review the terrain and note any dangers or obstacles (if you plan to fish in darkness or twilight).

Purchase the equipment

Here is your list:

• Rod and Reel – see Equipment and perhaps Rod and Reel before you buy
• Terminal tackle
  • A pack of snap swivels
  • A pack of 18″ leaders
• Lures – get what you saw fisherman using – here are some essential basics:
  • Kastmaster or similar shiny metal lure, size 1.5 to 2.0 oz.
  • Tsunami Popper, Black and Silver
  • Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow, Black and Silver, 4-5″
  • Bucktail jig, white with red thread, 1.5 oz, weed-less design if you can find it

Prepare your equipment

• Learn the basic angler’s knot and terminate your line with a snap-swivel
  • Test your first knots by trying to pull the snap off the line
• Try clipping each of your lures to the snap swivel
• Assemble equipment and other necessities (hat, sunglasses, sun screen, see Checklist)

Start slow

• Find a good place to start
  • Safe and easy access
  • Wide space in case you make mistakes casting
• Start with your Kastmaster or equivalent – it is the easiest to cast and retrieve
  • Cast slowly, don’t try to break and distance records, get a feel for the timing

Experiment

• Switch lures
• Try different retrieves, slow, fast, jerk & glide, etc.