Fishing Newbie Book(s) recommendation

[Pryderi]

Actually I am looking for two recommendations

Can anyone recommend a good introductory book on normal rod and reel type fishing the more basic the better as I have zero knowledge of fishing.
Something that tells you how to not fall foul of the law would be a bonus.

Is there a "classic" survival type fishing book?
And just quick disclaimer... I know survival type fishing e.g. handlines, traps and fixed lines would be illegal for the most part and I have no intention of going down to my local river and setting up a trap line or anything else illegal. There seems to be a lot of disparate bits of information in books and websites I was just wondering if the techniques were distilled into one source somewhere.

[Martin]

Firstly, I don't think that a hand line would be illegal, I really can't see why it should be.

Secondly, I can't recommend a book for beginners but I can strongly recommend that you go to your local tackle shop and tell them what you want to do. They will get you kitted out with the minimum you need at a very reasonable price. Once you have your basic kit, then you will start building it up over years.

One word of caution though. Don't forget that most fishing tackle is designed to catch the fisherman not the fish!!!

Martin

[sam_acw]

Try this one out for bushcraft/survival fishing techniques. I've got a copy and it's fantastic.
Indian Fishing (http://books.google.pl/books?id=fudyXm4KMpQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=indian+fishing&hl=en&ei=4x6xTtSwLIaEhQfco4XeAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)

[paulthefish2009]

Not sure hand lines are legal for freshwater angling(sea fishing is fine)your rod licence(which you should have) is just that, a licence to fish with a rod and line.
Best to check with the envirment agency on that one i think :confused2:

[Opal]

One of the family bought a John Wilson book for me many years ago (excellent), don't know whether I still have it but there are loads of great tips for yer in it, have a look here for some vids.
http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/how-to/Coarse-fishing-advice/Fishing-Tips2/John-Wilsons-Fishing-Tips/

[Pryderi]

Try this one out for bushcraft/survival fishing techniques. I've got a copy and it's fantastic.
Indian Fishing (http://books.google.pl/books?id=fudyXm4KMpQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=indian+fishing&hl=en&ei=4x6xTtSwLIaEhQfco4XeAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Thanks Sam will have a look at that one

[Pryderi]

One of the family bought a John Wilson book for me many years ago (excellent), don't know whether I still have it but there are loads of great tips for yer in it, have a look here for some vids.
http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/how-to/Coarse-fishing-advice/Fishing-Tips2/John-Wilsons-Fishing-Tips/

Thanks Opal
Will see if I can pick up one of his books

[Pryderi]

Firstly, I don't think that a hand line would be illegal, I really can't see why it should be.

Secondly, I can't recommend a book for beginners but I can strongly recommend that you go to your local tackle shop and tell them what you want to do. They will get you kitted out with the minimum you need at a very reasonable price. Once you have your basic kit, then you will start building it up over years.

One word of caution though. Don't forget that most fishing tackle is designed to catch the fisherman not the fish!!!

Martin


Not sure hand lines are legal for freshwater angling(sea fishing is fine)your rod licence(which you should have) is just that, a licence to fish with a rod and line.
Best to check with the envirment agency on that one i think :confused2:

My admittedly recieved wisdom falls in line with Paul's reply. A lot of forums (and on here) have a dire warnings about using handlines for freshwater fishing.

[Opal]

This is the one, will teach you everything you need to know about coarse fishing, I've lent it out numerous occasions and always good reviews.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Wilsons-Coarse-Fishing-Wilson/dp/B0040DFS1E/ref=sr_1_34?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320321305&sr=1-34

[rossbird]

A Golden Oldie, but lots of good info.
Falkus and Buller's Freshwater Fishing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falkus-Bullers-Freshwater-Fishing-Techniques/dp/0091712807

[rossbird]

Think you are wise to be catious, regarding Handlines.
Trying to persuade the authorities, they equate to a rod, is not a discussion I would want to have.

[Pryderi]

Try this one out for bushcraft/survival fishing techniques. I've got a copy and it's fantastic.
Indian Fishing (http://books.google.pl/books?id=fudyXm4KMpQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=indian+fishing&hl=en&ei=4x6xTtSwLIaEhQfco4XeAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Looks really good Sam
Unfortunately going for between 50 and 140 quid on Amazon!

[Pryderi]

My mate loaned me a copy of Sea fishing for Amateurs quite an old book but looks interesting

[Realearner]

Just try looking in charity shops, I have found various books on fishing and very cheap ;)

[Martin]

Just found this:

http://www.fish-uk.com/beginners_guide_to_coarse_fishing_page_1.htm

Hope it helps.

Martin

[Pryderi]

Just found this:

http://www.fish-uk.com/beginners_guide_to_coarse_fishing_page_1.htm

Hope it helps.

Martin


Thanks Martin
Brilliant!

[sam_acw]

Looks really good Sam
Unfortunately going for between 50 and 140 quid on Amazon!

Hadn't realised it was so expensive - there's more than one printing so a different version might be cheaper. I got mine a few years ago for a couple of quid through amazon 2nd hand.


On the subject of fishing I seem to recall a fishing segment in some of the old Ray Mears Country Tracks programmes
I think it was based on Mr. Crabtree http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crabtree-Goes-Fishing-Bernard-Venables/dp/1842520008 with some more info and a few panels here http://bearalley.blogspot.com/2007/01/fishing-with-mr-crabtree.html

[Pryderi]

Thanks again Sam


Again looks good. Weirdly my mate who does fishing recommended another cartoon based one yesterday to me.

[Pryderi]

A Golden Oldie, but lots of good info.
Falkus and Buller's Freshwater Fishing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falkus-Bullers-Freshwater-Fishing-Techniques/dp/0091712807

Managed to get a copy of this on ebay for £3.58 been flicking through it and its looks excellent and very interesting historical read

[Basha72]

Have to say the River Cottage Sea Fishing Book is a good one to get hold off a lot of info for the price and a nice size if you want to take it with you

Basha

[garethw]

Hi there
Learning to fish from a book is all well and good, but I'd strongly advise you to try and get out with an experienced angler..

There is so much specialised tackle out there for the different branches of the sport, that unless you get some guidance you could end up spending money on useless items.

A knowledge of rigs, knots & baits is essential, but so many little things need to be seen to be understood. Things like watercraft can only be learned with years of practice and observation.

Try to avoid doing what many are doing these days, jumping into carp angling before learning to fish for all species.

Probably the easiest place to start is general float fishing for roach, tench & bream..

By all means add to your knowledge from books and the internet, but do get someone to teach you.

cheers
Gareth (40 years an angler)

[Pryderi]

I actually got three of the River Cottage books for Christmas including the sea fishing one. I have to agree with you its a great book for a beginner (well at least I'm learning a lot from it). I also got the Hedgerow and Seashore books as well which are also a fund of knowledge.

[ianh]

hi you could try this one it coves all types of fishing and is a good gide to fishing ....The complete fishing book ISBN 0-583-32157-7 its by ted smart it covers coarse,game and sea fishing

[Pryderi]

By all means add to your knowledge from books and the internet, but do get someone to teach you.

cheers
Gareth (40 years an angler)

Hi Gareth
Sorry I took so long to reply must have missed this post on my phone.

I would love to learn at the feet of a master so to speak, unfortunately none of my friends fish. I also lead a very time poor lifestyle at the moment so actually getting to go fishing proving difficult.
Hence trying to learn the basics from books so I don't ask stupid questions like "what exactly is a hook" ;)

I'm looking at trying to do some sea fishing on an upcoming holiday I'll see if I can get chatting to a few of the old hands and get some tips.