Casting Queens Q & A: What do I tell someone who wants to get into fishing when they ask what gear they should buy?
The best thing you can do when someone is interested in fishing is to first find out what species they want to fish for. If it is something specific that you have knowledge of, take them out on the water with you before recommending any products! If you are the one interested in learning to fish, ask a friend or fishing group to see if someone would be willing to take you or your friend out for a few hours to show the basics.
Before you buy gear that you are not knowledgeable about, it is good to know what you like or don’t like when it comes to fishing. Have someone show you different options with gear, so you can decide what works best for you. Once you have a species in mind, it becomes easier to narrow down what specifics you may need to get started. For example, someone could tell you a hook and bobber is all you need to fish, but that is not always specific to the type of fish you want to catch.
Fishing can be as expensive of a hobby as you would like depending on the gear you choose to use. If you think about it, before the fishing industry became what it is today, people just used a stick and piece of string for a rod and reel combo. Most anglers compare going into a tackle shop to being a kid in a candy store. For a new angler, it can be quite intimidating. With the number of rod and reel options, walls of tackle, and numerous other sections it is hard to know where to even start; I can definitely say I have been there a few times. If you know the species you are wanting to target, the best thing to do is ask the experts at the tackle shop. The employees should be able to direct you to rod and reel combos that will best work for the type of fishing you are looking to get into and advise you on some must-have tackle options.
It doesn’t matter if you or someone you know is interested in freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing, experiencing it firsthand can be the best way to introduce someone into the sport. If you have further questions we recommend joining our women’s only Facebook group, Casting Queens VIP.
