Fishing Equipment for Beginners

Here’s a list of the best fishing gear for beginner anglers of all ages.
Most new anglers want quality and budget-friendly fishing rods, reels, and starter kits to catch a variety of fish such as perch, bass, walleye, trout, pike, crappie and catfish.
Beginner Fishing Gear
The following suggestions are all good choices as starter fishing equipment gifts for beginners.
The rod and reel combos are budget-friendly and recommended according to their appropriateness for anglers based on the person’s age.
The lures, hooks, sinkers, floats and other accessories that are suggested are chosen to provide a balanced assortment of tackle that should be a part of every beginner fishing kit.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products. Cottage Tips may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Rod and Reel Fishing Combos
For Kids
For children, a simple rod and reel combination package is the best starter kit. Choose one that has a spin casting (closed face) reel. It is the easiest to use because the reel has a push-button line release.
Fishing kit for the little ones
This combo is great for little kids aged 3-5 who want to fish like Dad. The plastic lures are perfect for the kids to learn how to cast and use the rod and reel. When the basics are sorted out, the youngsters can add some bait and catch real fish as this rod and reel combo is also adequate for catching small fish like perch and sunfish.
Good Beginner Fishing Rod For Young Kids
Boys: Spincast Fishing Kit
Good Beginner Fishing Rod For Older Boys and Girls
These kits are designed for easy use and are good for catching perch, sunfish, bass, small pike and walleyes.
Boys: Spincast Fishing Combo
Girls: Spincast Combo
Good Beginner Fishing Rod For Teens and Adults
A basic all-purpose rod and reel combination would be a 5.5 or 6 foot medium action rod and reel combination with 8 or 10 pound line.
These kits are ideal for catching a full range of fish from smaller perch and sunfish, to larger walleye, bass, trout and even pike.
First time anglers should stick to the spincast models. Anglers who have done a bit of fishing or plan to fish more often may want to use the slightly more technical spinning reel.
The combo rod and reel kits below have been chosen as good fishing rods for the new angler who is going on a trip with friends. These also make great fishing gifts for Dad on Father’s Day or Mom on Mother’s Day.
The fishing gear listed for women is not chosen simply because it is a different colour. These fishing kits are considered good for ladies because girls generally have smaller hands than guys and these rod and reel combos are a bit easier to handle.
Men’s and Ladies Spincast Combos
Here is an economical “His and Hers” kit
Men’s and Ladies Spinning Combo
Men: Spinning Combo Rod and Reel
Ladies: Spinning Combo Rod and Reel
Easy-to-Pack Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
Here is a fishing rod and reel kit that is easy to travel with. We have also found a good travel tackle bag for carrying the gear. If you don’t have a lot of storage space in the car, these are good options.
Lures and Bait
Small spoons, spinner baits and an assortment of jig heads and rubber tails should be enough to catch some fish for dinner. Perch, walleye, bass, trout and pike will all bite these types of lures at different times.
These tackle kits will get any beginner angler off to a good start.
Fishing Knot Cards and Tackle Box
These waterproof cards fit nicely in the tackle box and are a handy reference when you forget how to tie your favourite fishing knot. They are great for beginners because the instructions are easy to follow and all the important fishing knots are covered.
Every angler also needs a basic tackle box to keep the gear neatly and safely organized.
Hooks, Sinkers,Swivels, and Floats
A kit containing a range of hook sizes is needed for fishing with live bait. An assortment of weight sizes will provide enough options when you want to get your bait to the bottom. Floats are used to keep live bait at a certain depth above the bottom.
Some regions require the use of barbless hooks. It is a good practice regardless of the local rules. You may lose an extra fish once in a while but it certainly makes pulling a hook out of your finger a lot easier.
Fishing Line
It is always a good idea to keep a spool of extra fishing line handy. Eight or ten pound line is good for a medium action rod and reel combo.
Leaders and Swivels
When using lures, a package of wire leaders is useful. Fish with lots of teeth such as northern pike and muskie will cut through regular line. When using lures to fish for bass and walleye you don’t need a wire leader but it is helpful to tie a swivel onto the end of the line. This makes it easier and faster to switch lures.
Fishing Net
Always use a net that is capable of handling the largest fish you are likely to catch. This net is a good one for beginners. It folds up nicely and is easy to store.
Fishing Pliers and Hook Removers
These are essential for removing hooks from the fish especially when the fish has swallowed the hook or lure. You can use a pair of long needle-nose pliers or a specially designed fish hook remover. The hook remover below is good for beginners because it is easy to use and works well with a variety of fish.
Mouth Spreader
This is a critical piece of equipment if you are catching pike or muskie. Mouth spreaders are inexpensive and very useful for keeping the fish’s mouth open when removing the hook. Consider buying two or three because they often end up at the bottom of the lake. You don’t want to catch a big pike if you don’t have a set of mouth spreaders in your tackle box.
Fish gloves
Handling fish is not easy. Perch and walleye have sharp spikes on their fins while pike can be very slippery. A good set of fish gloves makes the process of removing the hook much easier.
Fillet Knife
Cleaning your fish is much easier and more efficient when you use a sharp fillet knife. Always wear protective gloves and sharpen the knife before every use. The case is convenient for traveling and easy storage.
Polarized Fishing Glasses
Special glasses are available that help you see what is going on below the surface of the water. This is a great idea for beginner anglers because it gives them a better understanding of what the fish are actually doing when they follow a lure up to the boat, dock or shore.
Fishing Book
Here is a comprehensive, easy-to-read book that does a good job of introducing beginner anglers to all aspects of fishing.
Fishing can be a wonderful experience for beginner anglers of all ages. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the equipment you need to start catching fish.
Need more Fishing Tips?
Go to the Beginner Fishing Tips page for information on how to catch all your favourite fish.
Go to the Bass Fishing Tips and Gear page.
Go to the Tips and Gear for Catching Pike page.
Go to the Tips and Gear For Catching A Muskie page.