1. Basic gear

The golden rule

Don't buy expensive gear at first. A simple set suited to the water you fish teaches you more than top-end gear. Upgrade once you know what you like: carp at a lake, predators on spinning or light float fishing.

Rod and reel

• Pond / lake, bottom or float fishing: a 3-3.6 m rod, medium action, with a size 3000-4000 reel.
• Spinning (predators): a shorter, more sensitive rod, 2.1-2.7 m, with a size 2000-3000 reel.
• Mountain river (trout): a short, light rod, 1.8-2.4 m.
• Check that the reel has an adjustable drag and turns smoothly -- it's the part that tires the fish.

Line, hooks and accessories

• Monofilament line to start with: 0.20-0.25 mm for float fishing and small fish, 0.28-0.35 mm for carp and bottom fishing. Braid is thinner and more sensitive, but fussier with knots.
• Hooks in several sizes: small (size 10-14) for small coarse fish, medium (size 4-8) for carp, large or long-shanked for predators.
• Leads in a few weights, 2-3 g and 5-6 g floats, snaps and swivels, silicone stops.
• Landing net (a must for carp and predators), unhooking mat or wet towel for big fish, unhooking pliers, scissors, a small box for bits and pieces.
• Folding chair, water, sunscreen, a headlamp -- fishing lasts longer than you think.