If you are trying to start fishing you need to understand some simple things like good quality gear, lures to use, and prime fishing spots. This article will help inform new anglers all about fishing!
If you are trying to start fishing you need to understand some simple things like good quality gear, lures to use, and prime fishing spots. This article will help inform new anglers all about fishing!
Spinning reels are very reliable and good for beginners. Bait Casters Are more fun and unique, they are really fun to cast and catch fish, but they can backfire pretty easily if you don’t know how to use them. Fly Fishing rods are a very fun but hard type of rod to use. It requires a lot of practice to get down to basic mechanics. The goal is to tap the surface once or twice and then let the fly sit and hope a fish takes it. It is always active, you are never waiting and this makes it fun. Good rod brands are Ugly Stick, Daiwa, St Croix, Lews, Penn, and Okuma. For surf casting we like using 10 ft rods, for bass we use 7.0 ft medium action.
The Fly fishing line isn’t just the green/orange line you see. It has a nine foot leader where it starts thick where it is connected to the braided line then gets thinner and harder to see. We use braids with a monofilament leader that is hard for the fish to see. Braided line is way stronger and does not snap as easily.
For Fly fishing there are multiple different varieties in colors and sizes. Some flies sink while others stay on top of the surface. Some are smaller or bigger depending on the size of the fish. Flies are very cheap and very affordable. You can get a pack of 50 different varieties for only $15 at pretty much any fishing store. Lures and baits are very important and sometimes choosing the right lures/bait can be difficult. A lot of times there will be lures specifically for certain species of fish. For example if you want to target Largemouth Bass, a spinnerbait will be very effective. Here are some lures that work well for many species. A plastic worm will be one of the best freshwater lures, jerkbaits will also be very effective, jigs, spoons, crankbaits, live worms, swimbaits, spinners, and live baitfish.
Some good plastic worm brands are Gary Yamamoto and Z-Man. Best lure brands that sell all types of lures are Panther Martin, Googan, Rapala, Strike King, Berkeley, Powerbait.
Essentials for everytime you go fishing you should bring fishing pliers to help get the hook out. You should bring something to cut the line with like nail clippers or whatever else works.
Local favorites. Some of my personal favorite spots in the bay area are Bolinas, Bon tempe lake which is located in Fairfax, and the san geronimo golf course pond. One of my favorite spots is Kent Lake in Lagunitas because you can catch PB Largemouth Bass that range from many pounds. For saltwater fishing most beaches are good. If you want to catch bat rays and sharks, Loch Lomond in San Rafael. Paradise Pier, Tiburon, is a really good spot for a bunch of different species, but is also always crowded. Elephant rock pier in Tiburon, is good for jacksmelt and batrays, Tomales bay is also good.
I hope this article helps beginner and even experienced anglers with their fishing journeys. I encourage you to try out these spots with the bait and lures we suggested and hopefully you catch a fish!
