7. Checklist for your first session
What to take and how to plan your day
Before you leave
- Choose a lake with plenty of fish and easy access (search in the app by county and facilities).
- Check the lake's rules, hours and fee; on natural waters, the permit.
- The weather and solunar forecast -- avoid storms, pick the morning.
In your backpack
- Rod rigged up, reel with line, a box with hooks / leads / floats / snaps.
- Bait and groundbait, landing net, pliers, scissors, towel.
- Water, food, sunscreen, cap, spare clothes, flashlight, rubbish bag.
- A charged phone: photos, RoFish for species and rules, contact in case of need.
At the water
- Watch for 10 minutes before casting: where fish are jumping, where the weed is, which way the wind blows.
- Start simple: float, worm, close to the bank. The first fish matters more than a big one.
- Note what worked (time, bait, depth) -- posting your catch in the app makes a good journal.