N
Nomad
Guest
I haven't fished for about 40 years, and I wasn't particularly good at it back then. Not that I'm going to let that stop me giving it another go. My past experience was limited to bank fishing on lochs, using either a spinner or a bubble float and bait.
I happened to be near my local Go Outdoors yesterday, and came out with some cheap spinning kit...
Shakespeare 8ft telescopic spinning rod for 10 quid (http://www.shakespeare-fishing.co.uk/catalogue/rods,778/spinning,970/beta-telescopic-rods,8160.html).
Shakespeare reel for 13 quid (http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/shakespeare-omni-30rd-reel-p261056).
A couple of 10 gram spinners, and some size 12 hooks and swivels.
The rod is described as medium action and has a cast weight of 0.5 to 2oz, or 10-30g (which is odd because 2oz is a lot more than 30g). The box for the reel says it's loaded with 8lb line.
Did I buy cheap and nasty, or cheap and cheerful?
I'm interested in catching fish for eating, preferably trout, from the banks of lochs and maybe rivers. I'm aware that most inland places (in Scotland) require a permit, that there are seasons for some species, and that there are usually additional local rules that need to be adhered to. (Not the subject of this post.)
My questions...
Is the 8lb line okay? (I assume it is, or is at least in the ballpark.)
The guy in the shop suggested the 10g spinner weight. Is it okay?
What sort of floats should I get? My memory of bubble floats is that they're easy to cast and then leave out. Never used the little stick floats, and not really sure if/why they would be better. If bubble floats, what size?
What sort of bait should I get?
I also have an interest in trying fly fishing. It seems that the gear has the potential to be lighter and more compact than spinning gear (no floats or bulky lures, reels are smaller).
Can the rod I have be used for fly? (Too stiff?) If not, any suggestions for a telescopic fly rod for el-cheapo money?
Any recommendations from the cheaper reels here? http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/fishing/fly-and-game-fishing/fly-reels/sort/2
What do the geared ones offer that the others don't?
What weight and type of backing line should I get? What about leaders?
I have a Swiss Champ SAK - any other tools that I need?
What about these gunks that are used to float/sink lines?
Wet flies or dry flies? (And why?)
I happened to be near my local Go Outdoors yesterday, and came out with some cheap spinning kit...
Shakespeare 8ft telescopic spinning rod for 10 quid (http://www.shakespeare-fishing.co.uk/catalogue/rods,778/spinning,970/beta-telescopic-rods,8160.html).
Shakespeare reel for 13 quid (http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/shakespeare-omni-30rd-reel-p261056).
A couple of 10 gram spinners, and some size 12 hooks and swivels.
The rod is described as medium action and has a cast weight of 0.5 to 2oz, or 10-30g (which is odd because 2oz is a lot more than 30g). The box for the reel says it's loaded with 8lb line.
Did I buy cheap and nasty, or cheap and cheerful?
I'm interested in catching fish for eating, preferably trout, from the banks of lochs and maybe rivers. I'm aware that most inland places (in Scotland) require a permit, that there are seasons for some species, and that there are usually additional local rules that need to be adhered to. (Not the subject of this post.)
My questions...
Is the 8lb line okay? (I assume it is, or is at least in the ballpark.)
The guy in the shop suggested the 10g spinner weight. Is it okay?
What sort of floats should I get? My memory of bubble floats is that they're easy to cast and then leave out. Never used the little stick floats, and not really sure if/why they would be better. If bubble floats, what size?
What sort of bait should I get?
I also have an interest in trying fly fishing. It seems that the gear has the potential to be lighter and more compact than spinning gear (no floats or bulky lures, reels are smaller).
Can the rod I have be used for fly? (Too stiff?) If not, any suggestions for a telescopic fly rod for el-cheapo money?
Any recommendations from the cheaper reels here? http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/fishing/fly-and-game-fishing/fly-reels/sort/2
What do the geared ones offer that the others don't?
What weight and type of backing line should I get? What about leaders?
I have a Swiss Champ SAK - any other tools that I need?
What about these gunks that are used to float/sink lines?
Wet flies or dry flies? (And why?)