| Like many sports, when you begin to fish you | | | | are, however, several companies that make high |
| have to obtain a basic assortment of equipment. | | | | quality equipment at all spending levels. These |
| And, like other sports, you can either spend a | | | | companies include Shimano, Daiwa, and Okuma. |
| whole lot of money, or you can spend just a little | | | | Shakespeare is another company that makes a |
| to get started. Fortunately, in the case of fishing, | | | | plethora of fishing products, and many fishermen |
| you only have to spend a few dollars to begin | | | | have started fishing by using their equipment. |
| fishing. You can easily put together a basic fishing | | | | The Basic Rig |
| kit for under 50 dollars. If you decide you like | | | | Note: There are many different methods of |
| fishing, and want to do it more often, then you | | | | rigging a line for fishing. There are many sizes and |
| can upgrade your fishing stuff as you go along. | | | | styles of weights, hooks, line, etc. The following is |
| But it's not expensive or difficult to get started! | | | | a suggestion for one simple setup that can have |
| Here are a few of the things you need to know | | | | you getting your line into the water in little or no |
| when picking out your first fishing rig. | | | | time. |
| First things first - The Fishing License | | | | The basic Trout Rig would look something like this: |
| In most states, a fishing license is required to fish | | | | A 5 to 7 foot pole, light to medium action. |
| public lakes, streams, and rivers. Young children will | | | | 3-5 bearing Spinning Reel, small to medium size |
| generally not have to have a license to fish, | | | | Spool of 2-4 pound fishing line |
| usually up to age 16. The fees that you pay for | | | | Package of hooks, size 18 Treble |
| the license go to pay for the stocking of fish, and | | | | Package of hooks, worm |
| the upkeep of many of the recreational areas | | | | Package of Split Shot sinkers |
| that you go to fish. The fees vary by state. In | | | | Small Tackle Box |
| many cities, there are fishing facilities that are | | | | Worms |
| privately owned, and therefore do not require a | | | | Jar of Powerbait |
| license to fish there. They do, however, charge a | | | | Bait: While the type of fishing hardware will always |
| pretty hefty fee for the privilege of fishing. On | | | | remain pretty consistent in Trout fishing, the big |
| occasion, some states will have a "License-free | | | | variable is always bait. The Fisherman always has |
| Fishing Day", so that you can experience fishing | | | | to figure out what the fish want. And, what the |
| without having to pay for the yearly license. Do | | | | fish want is always changing, so it's a pretty good |
| NOT go fishing without your license, where | | | | idea to carry at least a couple of different types |
| required! The Game Warden can (and usually will) | | | | of bait with you. The number of different types |
| issue an expensive citation and has the ability to | | | | of bait and lures is mind-boggling, so it's a good |
| confiscate all of your fishing equipment if he or | | | | idea to stick with a few baits that work |
| she chooses to do so. | | | | consistently, in all types of environments. For the |
| The Equipment | | | | beginning Trout fisherman, there are two baits |
| Depending on the kind of fish you will be trying to | | | | that should always be in your tackle box: Worms |
| catch, the equipment you will need to start with is | | | | and Powerbait. Worms can be purchased |
| pretty basic. Because trout fishing is one of the | | | | inexpensively at almost any tackle shop, and in |
| most popular types of fishing, we'll look at the | | | | some parts of the country you can even dig your |
| equipment needed for that first. | | | | own out of the ground, if you are so inclined. |
| At the minimum, you'll need a Rod, a Reel, some | | | | Powerbait, manufactured by Berkeley, is one of |
| hooks, line, weights, and something to put all of it | | | | the great inventions of modern fishing technology. |
| in. You'll also need some bait. As with purchasing | | | | It could be argued that Powerbait has been |
| anything, you get what you pay for. This doesn't | | | | responsible for more fish being caught over the |
| mean that you have to pay a fortune, but you | | | | last 30 years than anything other than the |
| need to choose products of a reasonable quality if | | | | standard earthworm. Powerbait is what is known |
| you are going to enjoy your fishing experience. | | | | as a "Dough" bait, because in texture it resembles |
| Some lakes and reservoirs have bait and tackle | | | | bread or cookie dough. It comes in dozens of |
| shops on-site, and many of them will rent you | | | | different colors, and an updated version of it, |
| fishing gear for the day. Many small mom-and-pop | | | | called GULP, is now on the market. It's always |
| tackle shops will also rent you equipment. Renting | | | | nice to have a couple of jars of Powerbait in your |
| fishing gear for a day or two is a good way to | | | | Trout tackle box, but if you could only choose |
| decide if you like fishing, and want to continue | | | | one color, try the Rainbow Sparkle. |
| with it. One advantage to renting equipment from | | | | If you find that you enjoy fishing and being in the |
| a local tackle shop is that they will very often | | | | great outdoors, you can always move up to |
| give you some training on how to use the gear, | | | | more expensive fishing gear. But remember: More |
| and they can set it up properly for the type of | | | | expensive fishing equipment will NOT make you a |
| fishing you will be doing. | | | | better fisherman, or help you catch more fish. |
| Probably the easiest way to buy fishing gear the | | | | Using very high quality (and expensive) fishing |
| first time is to purchase a rod-reel combo. Many | | | | gear can enhance your fishing experience, but in |
| companies offer these for beginners. There are | | | | most cases it won't help you catch more fish. |
| many products to choose from, so picking one | | | | The only thing that will do that will be practice, |
| for the first time can be a little daunting. There | | | | experience, more practice, and more experience! |