"Steve Homer" wrote in message
. ..
HI ALL,

I am interested in starting to fish.
Im not shure what type but id like to try local canals or Kingsbury Water
Park.

I have been to my local tackle shop and they have sugested to buy a Pole
for
about £6 or go for a starter Kit at about £30,

When the chap was talking to me it was just blowing my mind - i did not
understand much of what he was saying
Information Overload i think.

Can anyone help with what i should start with and any good places in
Birmingham (UK) to fish.

I would agree that a cheap (and short) pole is good start...

I'd recommend something along the line of:

EA licence (£22 from Post Office or online)
5 or 6 metre pole/whip (elasticated with a 6) -ask the tackle shop to so
this for you! [Look to pay around £10]
2 or 3 ready made rigs (tackle dealer will be able to advise based on local
waters) [£2.50 each]
Spare hooks-to-nylon (tackle dealer will be able to advise based on rigs
above) [£2]
Disgorger [50p]
Scissors [£1]
Landing net (maybe 20") and handle (min 2 metre) [£10]
Bait box (1 pint) [£75p]

You might already have a folding chair and a bag to keep your tackle in, if
not, these can had cheaper at a camping shop...

You don't need all the latest (and expensive) gear to catch a lot of fish, I
caught my first fish (at around age 6) with a homemade bamboo rod with line
just tied to the end...

I would be a good idea to go to your local waters and chat to those fishing
them, see what they catch (and on what bait/tackle) before reaching for your
wallet...
Also, read up as much as you can, there are a few fishing mag's/weekly's.
'Improve your Coarse Fishing' is quite good. And see what they have at your
local library/book shop - 'Still Water Angling' by Richard Walker is
excellent, quite old now (published over 50 years ago) but very very good.
When I was a kid I had a book by Peter Tomlinson (IIRC) that was very
useful, I forget the title though...
There are also some good programmes on Home and Leisure, look out for John
Wilson and Matt Hayes (Wet Nets, Total Fishing and The Great Rod Race).
There are others, but these two stand out IMHO...

It might be worth asking friends/relatives/colleagues if they fish, as going
for the first time with someone more experienced will be invaluable, they
might also be able to lend you some tackle so you can see what's what before
buying...
You can one day fishing licences for around £2.50 I think, which would be
useful for your first visit, afterall you might not like it!

Anyway, welcome to the community, we're friendly sorts and most will be
happy to help out...


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Matt