Beginner

[Jules89]

Dear, members

I am new to this forum, and the hobby/sport of fishing, the past few months thoughts of finishing have gone through my mind. This week I have committed myself to make an attempt to go fishing. One thing is, I do not know where to start. There are a few questions that need to be answered, with hopes of having them answered they will be posted here.

1. Where to get a good rod and reel on a budget(30 to 40)
2. Are there any members on here willing to teach, or help a beginner? I am willing to drive as far as Fort Lauderdale.

[tears143]

Might want to tell us where you are for #2. If you are around me, I am willing teach you it.

As for #1, save that money for a good rod and reel.. imo. Find out if you like fishing first.

[Jules89]

I am in North Miami

[repair]

30 to 40 buck combo watch out for junk, you have to know brands get someone who knows the better stuff and what to look for and to watch out for everyone has their own likes and dislikes

[MrEnigma]

Do you know where you plan to fish? More specifically, salt or freshwater? Any idea of what you plan to catch? I wouldn't recommend eating anything caught in freshwater down here (way too polluted) though, so if you want something to eat you need to get to saltwater. Then it depends on whether you want to fish from the beach, a boat, a pier, etc.

Anything in the 30-40 range is most likely going to be junk. In freshwater you can get away with fishing junk if you're fishing for small stuff. Saltwater is unforgiving and will corrode cheap stuff with ease, sometimes after only a couple of uses, at which point you're better off buying for $100 than constantly replacing $40 gear.

My first real setup was a penn fierce 6000 combo, which you can probably get for ~$80. I fished the hell out of it, and it is still ticking. If you take care of it (especially rinse after each use), it will last many times as long as something for half the price. It's a good size for all-around use on saltwater, though eventually you will outgrow it and want more specialized gear for different applications.

[Jules89]

I plan on fishing pier park or new port fishing pier. Initially the plan was to fish the canal near my dad's place, but like you said its polluted, shopping cars television all types of crapis in there.

[Kingofthesea]

I always fish that canal and I'm never disappointed. Snagged a 55" Vizio last year on a flea. Didn't get a pic but it's my personal best

[Jules89]

For the past two days I fished Haulover, under the bridge, and the inlet. On Thursday I had so many bites and fish jumping off my hook. With me being a beginner I believe my technique has a lot to do with me not landing anything.

On Friday I went to Walmart and bought hooks, and weights. The plan was to fish the jetty at the inlet, but that went south fast. Upon the first casting I lost a hook and a weight, and on three consecutive castings as well. There was an older gentlemen fishing there, he had a bucket filled with sardines being kept alive via aerator. Seeing him have no problems, and not getting caught on the rocks, I politely asked for help. All he said was use sardines which I had none, he gave me some, so I cast out and get stuck again... Down to my two last weights out of 8 the pressure was unbearable. Another guy on the peer gave me 2 bucks for a 3oz weight, that made only 1 weight available so I called it quits and went home...

[shos260288]

My suggestion, find another spot to fish.

KOTS, was that 55" Vizio an HD by chance? You need to use the live fleas for the HDs.

[krash]

My suggestion, find another spot to fish.

KOTS, was that 55" Vizio an HD by chance? You need to use the live fleas for the HDs.

What do you guys use for 4K UHD ?

[Moose]

If you still want to fish haulover just sabiki up some sardines or buy silversides or some live shrimp (they're small this time of year though). Ditch the weights and free line the sardine with no weight or a small split shot. Cast past the rocks and slowly retrieve. Pay attention to the holes and the rocks and cast where there is space and you might bring up a decent snapper

[crashmister]

1st rule of fishing. If what you're doing ain't working, change. Snag every cast means use less weight or free line. You may still loose everything but at least your learning and not just throwing tackle in the water for the local scuba club to find.