How to Start Fishing: Tips for Making Your First Cast

At One More Cast, we believe fishing is one of the finest hobbies on planet Earth, and our aim is to help more of you get out there enjoying it too. Fancy adventuring in the great outdoors, surrounded by water and nature? Read on for how to make your First Cast...

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What comes to mind when you read the word “fishing”?

Some people might picture an elderly gent on a wicker basket by the canal, catching very little. Others imagine epic battles with shark‑like sea creatures. The reality? Fishing is many things—it can be whatever you want it to be. Whatever your background, fishing is for everyone. Whether you catch big or small, we love them all!

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How to Start Fishing in the UK 🇬🇧

Starting coarse fishing in the UK is straightforward—first, get a rod licence from the Environment Agency. Children under 13 don’t need one; juniors aged 13–16 can get a junior licence free of charge.

A licence is required if you fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eels with rod and line. Fines of up to £2,500 can be issued for fishing without a valid licence, so it's simply not worth the risk. Licence fees are reinvested into UK fisheries and rivers—literally funding better fishing!

Beyond the Environment Agency licence, most venues require a Day Ticket or Club Ticket. There are also plenty of Free Fishing lakes, canals and rivers across the country—just check first what you need to fish.

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Where to Fish for Beginners

When you're just starting out, choose a venue where catching fish is likely. The UK has hundreds of commercial ponds, lakes and canals stocked with fish. Look for places with safe banks, scenic surroundings and a mix of species. We recommend these beginner-friendly fisheries:

• Todber Manor, Dorset
• Linear Fisheries, Oxfordshire
• Makins Fishery, Warwickshire
• Westwood Lakes, Lincolnshire
• Moorlands Farm, Worcestershire
• Gold Valley Lakes, Hampshire
• The Oaks Lakes, North Yorkshire
• Viaduct Fishery, Somerset
• Springvale Lakes, Nottinghamshire
• White Acres Fisheries, Cornwall
• Anglers Paradise, Devon
• Puddledock Farm, Essex
• Royal Berkshire Fishery, Berkshire
• Willow Park Fishery, Hampshire
• Hartley Lands Fishery, Kent
• Barford Lakes, Norfolk
• Decoy Lakes, Cambridgeshire
• Monkhall Fishery, Shropshire
• Hampton Springs, Cheshire
• Partridge Lakes, Cheshire
• Jansons Fishery, Nottinghamshire
• Ivy House Lakes, Wiltshire
• Larford Lakes, Worcestershire
• Meadowlands Fishery, Warwickshire
• Monk Lakes, Kent
• Lindholme Lakes, Lincolnshire
• Lake John, Essex
• White Springs Fishery, Wales
• Alders Farm, Buckinghamshire
• Tunnel Barn Farm Warwickshire
• Stafford Moor Fishery, Devon
• Whitmore Fisheries, Lancashire
• Packington Somers, Warwickshire
• Marsh Farm, Surrey
• Peatling Pools, Leicestershire
• Lloyds Meadow, Cheshire

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Beginner Fishing Tackle: Essentials for Fish Care

These items are essential—for both safety and fish welfare:

• Landing Net – for safely scooping larger fish that cannot be lifted by hand. Also ideal for resting the fish in the net before handling.

• Unhooking Mat – to protect the fish’s scales while out of water. Keep it wet before placing any fish on it.

• Disgorger or Forceps – essential tools for safely removing hooks that can’t be removed by hand.

CHECK OUT OUR OMC FC NET & MAT COMBO HERE!

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Whip Fishing

One of the simplest ways to start is with a whip—a pole with a line attached to a connector. You simply swing the pole to bring the fish in, without needing a reel.

Our OMC FC Whip Kit includes a 4m telescopic whip rod pre‑elasticated with red elastic, two ready‑tied rigs with floats, shot and hooks, plus a double‑ended discorger. The elastic helps absorb powerful lunges from species like carp. Just attach a pre‑tied rig to the connector, bait the hook, and swing out—you’ve got a fish when the float dips!

📣 A full whip fishing guide is coming soon.

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Float Fishing

Float fishing with rod and line allows you to target fish from the surface down to the bottom. The reel helps to land larger species because the adjustable drag and backwind protects against line breakage. Floats come in many shapes and sizes to suit different conditions.

Our OMC FC Float Rod & Reel Combo features a 10ft two‑piece rod and a 3000‑size reel with 4lb monofilament line. The optional Float Fishing Bundle adds a loaded tackle box, unhooking mat and landing net.

To fish the float: thread the line through the rod rings, slide on the float and locking stops, tie—or loop—on a hooklength or hook, adjust your shotting weights so only the orange tip shows, cast, wait, and reel in that bite. That’s it! Look out for our full float fishing article soon.

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Feeder Fishing

Feeder fishing is the first step toward specimen or carp angling. It presents bait precisely at a distance and targets bottom-feeding species. It uses a rod with delicate, bright tips and a reel for greater fish control.

Our OMC FC Feeder Rod & Reel Combo is beginner‑friendly: a 10ft rod, two quiver tips and a 4000‑size reel loaded with monofilament line. The Feeder Bundle includes a tackle box with feeders and ready-tied rigs, plus an unhooking mat and landing net.

To fish the feeder: thread the line through the rod rings,  slide on the feeder and attach the hooklink via swivel or bead, add the bait to the hook, cast, tighten line for tension, and watch the tip. A sharp tip movement or slack line means strike!

Stay tuned—our full feeder fishing article is coming soon.

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Best Beginner Baits for Coarse Fishing

A few starter baits that consistently catch:

• Maggots – loved by all fish, available at tackle shops. Use a bait box to store them.

• Sweetcorn – cheap and effective; stays on the hook well.

• Bread – versatile for surface or bottom fishing. Perfect for roach and carp.

• Pellets – fish are used to them on commercial venues; excellent as groundbait.

• Paste – ideal for carp; mouldable, sticky and effective in the margin.

With these, you’re off to a great start!

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What to Do When You’ve Caught a Fish

Once you’ve hooked a fish, fish care is paramount:

• For smaller fish: swing it into hand, remove the barbless hook, admire, then gently lower it back into the water.

• If the hook is too deep: keep the line tight, insert the disgorger, slide it down, and gently pop the hook out.

• For larger species like bream or carp: guide the fish into the landing net, grab the net at its end (not the handle), place the fish on the wet unhooking mat, remove hook, and always keep the fish low when handling—even for photos.

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Advice for First-Time Anglers

When possible, fish with an experienced angler or attend a learn‑to‑fish event hosted by the Angling Trust or Canal & Rivers Trust. Qualified coaches offer invaluable guidance.

If you’re alone, don’t hesitate to politely ask nearby anglers for help, most will be more than willing to show you some of the basics. Alternatively, there are plenty of fantastic tutorials you can watch online.  

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Quick Tips to Catch More Fish

• Feed little and often—small pinches close to your float work better than dumping bait all at once.

• Fish near cover—bushes, islands and reeds often hold more fish.

• Be patient—fish may take time to feed even if they’re swimming nearby.

• Try close in—big fish often feed near the bank.

• Keep noise to a minimum—no loud bangs, stomps or shouting.

• Experiment—change depth or bait if bites are slow.

• Don’t rush hooked fish—especially with whip elastic or the reel's drag. Let the fish tire a little before reeling in to avoid breakages. 

• Avoid tangles—close the bail arm on reels, minimise slack line, and cast smoothly.

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Get Out There and Enjoy It!

Fishing is one of the best hobbies around—and the more anglers out there, the better. You’ll spot wildlife like kingfishers, herons and even otters. Be kind to the bankside: leave no litter, handle fish and the environment with respect. There’s real joy in that moment when the float dips or the clutch clicks. One More Cast is here through our blogs and social media to help make your First Cast a memorable one.