How do you catch a fish?

Wouldn't laugh at all Dustin - am not a fisher person so can't offer any advice on actual fishing.
However I would like to say that the right approach is to ask and learn as much as you can.

Have been through the experience of reading an as yet unpublished book on victorian inland fishing , and then going off with author and what floored me was just how technical it can get and the astonishing results obtained by getting behind the fishes thinking and using that to your advantage.

To have someone extract fish repeatedly from rivers after others have walked away from brings home just what the right knowledge can deliver.

Robin Miller

lots of 'how to books' available but I can't name one as a recommendation. Learn how to tie a decent knot.

The majority of fishing can be accomplished with a general purpose rod (about 7-8', medium action), a spinning reel, basic range of hooks and sinkers. Certain techniques may require a float, but generally the rig (how you set up your sinker/hook) can be kept pretty simple. The most import thing is to have the correct bait, and it to be fresh! Ask around, only trout fisherman are guarded in their magic spots and techniques... everyone else are usually happy to give you the latest of what and where their biting.

Some fishing is better tackeled (boom boom!) with specialised gear (beach, big game, etc) but at this stage unless you want to do that I'd suggest to get a general purpose combo (those Kmart ones are good value) and go and sit on a pier or river bank and have a go. Don't forget a licence if you need one!.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this topic no doubt. If I had to only have one fishing rod.. I'd probably choose a good-old Black Queen, or maybe a lighter Ugly Stick (great boat rod... most a bit heavy for general purpose although they come in all shapes and sizes these days)

cheers, Nige

Try:
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and for knots:
http://www.fishnet.com.au/knotsrigs/knotsrigs.php

Basically, get a bait in the water, you won't catch fish without it.

ed

Type in ausfish and go from there .

The Kmart general purpose kits are a good cheap start. Buy one, make sure you're going to enjoy your new hobby then get a better kit and give the Kmart one to your kids or anyone else who wants it. Speak to locals, ask questions, most people are more than willing to help (in my experience).

I was laughed at a few years ago in Tassie, rocked up to an ocean rock ledge with river fishing gear and while 3 blokes took cheap shots(while catching nothing) I landed 6 Pike with a Red fin lure...

Can't go wrong with the ugly stik recommendation.

If you're after just general combo I reckon 6-8lb line is a start.
A 1500/2000 sized reel.
Asortment of hooks probably you'd want 1/0 suicide's.
Maybe some long shanks too for the yakka's.

Then again maybe the fishing over in the West is completely different to the East.

What kind of fish are you targeting or hoping to catch?

Dustin,
Suggest you go to either a book store like angus & riobertson or one of the supermarket stores - Big W,K Mart ,Target etc and just have a browse.
There are heaps of books for the beginner such as those by Andrew Ettinhausen or Rex Hunt, Steve Starling etc .
I reckon the best one is The Australian Fishing Companion - perfect if you are just starting out. Guide to rods,reels,line hooks tackle etc and also has a guide to fish species and locations.
Good Luck and have fun.

Dustin

Use the forums as much as you can.

Some books and mags use names like lizzard to describe a fish for example. It took me ages to realise they were talking about a flathead.

At least in a forum you can ask what something means and get an almost instant answer.

As you can gather from this forum there is a wealth of knowledge that people are willing to share on forums.

Also go to a website called "bycompass" it has "moving knots that will guide you through tying knots.

Regards Boo Boo

Gday
Their would be heaps of books and sites that would help but I really think you will get your best advice from the local tackle shop wherever you happen to be.
Just go in tell whoever is behind the counter you know nothing about fishing. Ask them what type of fish are bitting, what gear you need the best bait and the tide times. Books are handy for knotts ,rigs and tides but youll never beat local knowledge and Im yet to come across a tackle shop that isnt more than happy to help.
Cheers

For WA theres a couple of good forums

www.fishingwa.com

fishwrecked.com

Some of the guys on it own tackle shops so could always ask them....

In terms of reference material there are a number of WA specific books on the market, most of which you will find in fishing tackle shops (and also the new BCF stores, Big W etc). This one is a pretty good one.....

www.afn.com.au/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=51

You will also need to learn some knots and you will pick up a cheap book on these at your tackle shop.

Also, pick up a few magazines - a lot of them have beginner articles in them.

In terms of tackle, recommend the ugly stick combo - my philosophy has always to be to spend more on a decent reel than a rod (once you have made your mind up to pursue it as a hobby - in the interim the Big W combo will do). My light combo is a Penn Affinity 3000 with an Ugly stick 3-5kg rod and I bought this to cover fishing for small stuff on beach and in a boat but will easily handle some larger stuff if you manage to hook up on anything decent.

Have also recently purchased a smaller overhead reel but these are harder to cast (as I found out pretty quickly with plenty of birds nests!) so would recommend avoiding these to start with
Also have a surf rod with large spinning reel and a heavier bottom bouncing overhead reel which tends to cover everything I want to do with fishing.

Tackle wise, dont be like me and go and buy shedloads of tackle. Buys hooks as and when you need them - Baitholders are good but try and get chemically sharpened if you can to improve hook up rates.

Not sure where you are in Perth but Gotya Tackle and Camping in Balcatta is pretty good and have also had some decent advice from Ranger Camping in Osborne Park

PS I was a complete beginner a couple of years ago and its amazing how quickly you learn and pick things up

Hope this helps
Darren

Theres a book called Hooked in Paradise, def worth the $30 bucks.

Thanks very much for all the replies, some very useful information.

I think I now have a starting point from which to embark, i.e cheap(ish) rod and some essentials and I'll see how I go form there. I now have an idea on what to look for.

And thanks to the links to various web sites and forums etc.

Much appreciated.

Another thing I've learnt is to never stop going to a new place if the first few times you get nothing.

Go back a few times keeping in mind the tide and weather.

Some places fish well on run out tide, some on the run in etc...

First thing is you have chosen to start this great sport in an ideal place WA has some of the best fishing spots in Aussie (IMHO)

Try this website for staters - join the forum and yu will probably find a local on the site who will only be too glad to help you

Fishing WA site

Hi Dustin,
We have a few fishing books on the site that may interest you. Please see this link for further information Site Link
Hope this may assist.
Thanks