Fishing is one of the most relaxing yet thrilling recreational activities available to almost everyone.

And it’s easier than you think to get started. You don’t need to be a professional to enjoy it.

You don’t even need to have a fishing boat (but that helps), and you don’t need to know much about fish or how to catch them.

You just need a buddy, a few fishing rods, some line, and something enticing to put on the hook.

You can then leave the humdrum of everyday life for a few minutes, hours, or even days and head to your nearest body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trickling creek or flowing river, a small reservoir or a huge lake, or even the ocean.

All water is fun, it’s outdoors, and it probably has fish in it.

It’s never been easier to get started fishing. Keep reading to see the best fishing rods for beginners and how to get started today.

 

Why You Should Start Fishing

It’s early morning.

The sun rises, reflecting on the surface of the water.

It’s calm and quiet.  A welcome break from the frantic activity of daily life.

Just then, you feel a tug. The first bite of the day!

Your rod bends, your heart starts beating, and you can’t wait to see what’s on the end of the line.

Whether it’s your first ever fish or your first since yesterday, that feeling never gets old.

Wait. What? You haven’t been fishing in years? Or worse, you’ve never been fishing?

It’s time for you to get out to the water. Fishing is one of the easiest ways to enjoy time outside, away from work and chores.

It’s an incredible way to bond with friends and family, as you sit, float, or wade in the water, casting endlessly, enjoying conversation, soaking up the sun and fresh air, and of course, catching a fish or 2.

To some, fishing is a sport: a competition, a test of skill and knowledge.

To others, it’s simply an escape—a way to spend time in nature.

It’s an activity for anyone and everyone.

The problem is, getting started fishing can be intimidating. When you walk down the fishing aisle at the store, you see hundreds of different lures, dozens of rod types, and so many accessories and tools that your brain shuts down.

But fishing is simple.

Here’s a quick and easy guide to select the perfect fishing rod for you as you get started.

 

The Best Fishing Rods for Beginners

There are almost as many different types of fishing rods to choose from as there are fish in the sea.

It can be hard to figure out where to start.

There are specific rods for catching giant fish far out in the ocean. There are fishing rods for catching tournament sized bass. There are fly fishing rods for catching trout and salmon in the local rivers.

And there are fishing rods that are perfect for beginners.

The best type of rod you can start with is a versatile rod that will allow you to fish in different areas, such as a dock on a local pond, a river, or an ocean pier.

They might not be tough enough to catch a world-record fish, but they will help you start catching lots of normal-sized fish, which will be more than enough to keep you coming back for more.

Let’s take a quick look at the spin caster, the spinning rod, and the tenkara rod, all of which are super easy to start with and will help you catch fish fast.

The Spincaster

Spincaster rods are the type of rods that kids typically start with.

The reel is completely covered, with the line spool inside. The line comes out through a hole at the top, with the press and release of a button.

Because the line is housed inside, it’s less likely a tangle will occur. However, if it does happen, it’s harder to fix.

This type of reel is extremely easy to cast, making it great for the first-time angler. You’ll definitely start catching smaller panfish and bass in your local lake.

Spin casters are great to start fishing from shore or small docks.

Spin casters tend to be the most affordable rod type, perfect if you aren’t sure that fishing will be an ongoing activity, and even passion, or if it’s just something you want to try a few times.

The Spinning Rod

Maybe you’ve fished once or twice before with a friend’s rod, and you know you enjoy fishing.

If you want a rod that you are going to continue using for the foreseeable future, the spinning rod is the most popular option.

It’s similar to a spin caster, but the line spool is exposed. The button is replaced with a bail, which is flipped open and closed to release the line off the spool. With a spinning reel, you have more control over your line.

This extra control is ideal for catching medium to large-sized fish and fishing in a variety of environments. Use a spinning rod for fishing from docks and piers, from the shore, in the surf, or from a boat.

It’s also much easier to fix if and when your line gets tangled in the spool.

Tenkara Style Fishing

Tenkara fishing is lesser-known but steadily gaining in popularity around the world.

An ancient form of Japanese fly fishing, tenkara takes the idea of fly fishing (which is much more complicated) and simplifies it.

With tenkara, you can start fly fishing in just a few minutes, even if you’ve never fished before.

Tenkara rods are fixed line rods. They do not have a real. You tie your entire fishing line, about the length of your rod, to your rod tip. At the end of your line, you tie on an artificial fly to entice passing fish.

All you need to start catching fish is a tenkara rod, some line, and a fly. The best part is, these rods are collapsible, which can be easily stored in a backpack.

Because your line length is minimal, tenkara works well on smaller streams, catching small to medium-sized trout.

This is perfect for the minimalist fisher who wants a simple setup, a short learning curve, and only plans to fish small rivers and streams.

 

What Size Rod Should I Get?

You want to make sure to get a rod that is suited for the type of fish you plan to catch.

Shorter rods (under 6 feet long) are better for short, accurate casts. For example, if you need to cast next to a dock or submerged tree but don’t want to get your hook stuck, accuracy is important.

When you don’t need to be as accurate but simply want to cast as far as possible, a longer rod is much more efficient. If you are surfcasting, for example, you generally want to cast really, really far.

A rod longer than 7 feet will be better.

 

What Else Do I Need to Get Started

The best thing to do is to get a rod and reel combo. That way, you know the reel will fit perfectly on the rod, as they were made for each other.

Once you do that, you’ll need to add a line to the reel. A spool of monofilament line should run only a few dollars.

You’ll also need hooks, lures, or flies, depending on where you are fishing.

There are so many options for rigging your rod. The simplest approach is to tie on a hook and add live bait, such as worms or small fish.

Most people prefer artificial lures. Get a few rubber worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits to start out with. Trying out new lures can become a passion of its own.

You’ll also want a tackle box to hold all of your extra supplies, such as lures, hooks, weights, extra lines, and everything you’ll accumulate along the way.

 

Should I Get a Fishing Boat?

You do not need your own boat to get started fishing.

However, once you fall madly in love with fishing and find yourself spending all of your free time by the water, it may be time to consider getting a boat of your own.

There are so many different types of boats for different types of fishing.

If you love catching bass in your local lakes, a bass boat is an effective way to go.

A pontoon boat is perfect for a family.

If you find yourself becoming a serious sport fisherman, a Triton boat will likely be in your future. Selecting the right type of boat is very important.

Of course, you can always fish from a kayak, canoe, or inflatable raft.

The best fishing boats are simply the ones that get you into the water more.

 

Just Add Water

The best advice when getting fishing rods as a beginner is to keep it simple. Get a rod and reel combo, probably a spinning rod, that says it can handle the type of fish you hope to catch.

Grab a few artificial lures or a tub of worms and head off to the nearest body of water.

Sure, you’ll make a few mistakes along the way, but that’s part of the fun.

Just get started. That’s what counts. You might not catch fish the first time you go out. That’s okay.

Just get out there, learn, and cast your troubles away.