Returning to Fishing

Not fished for many years?

A common question goes something like this:

Help! I am going to fish a local pond next week. I have not fished for quite a few years and want to start up again. I have never seen half the new gizmos and gadgets that are out these days and wouldn't know what to do with them anyway

Don't worry. You don't need any of them.

The fish behave exactly as they have for the last few thousand years. Your old tackle and methods will still work just as well as they ever did.

But I keep seeing references to a (insert item of tackle) What is it? Apparently it's essential if I want to catch anything these days.

99.9% of the time they are unnecessary. If you don't know what it is you don't need it.

The only real difference in the tackle market is that there is now even more of it that you don't need. Get a smaller bag, a smaller bits box, carry less, cause less disturbance on the bank and catch more.

Stick with the angling you already know. After a few sessions you will begin to identify/remember limitations in your kit/technique. Only when you have identified the limitation(s) do you need to go looking for a solution.