How To Set Up A Fishing Pole? A Beginners Guide

Dreading about how you can start fishing? Setting up a fishing pole is your first step in fishing on a beautiful evening. Luckily, this article is all about how to set up a fishing pole; so whether you’re a beginner or a skilled veteran, you can still learn something new here.

We’ll pick pace from discussing essential tools you’ll be needing. Then, we’ll dive deep into how you can set up your fishing pole in a few simple ways. Can’t wait to get started? Well, let’s get straight to it then!

What You Need Before You Start

It’s all fun and games until you get to set up a rod. Before you get started, you’ll be needing a few things in your fishing kit. What, how, why, and all such questions will be evident as we introduce them to you.

Without further ado, here’s a list of things you’ll be needing:

1 – Fishing Rod

Fishing rods are slim poles used to cast the line farther away into the waters. Rods are specialized and chosen based on the type of fish you’re going to catch. If the catch is quite heavy, you’ll be needing a better, more durable rod to fish.

These rods can also be assembled if you know your way around. Using these rods will take you some practice, but it’s going to be worth it. The rod you pick can either be a one-piece or have multiple pieces.

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2 – Fishing Reel

The fishing reel is part of the rod in most cases. However, the coil is used to pull in the line that you’ve just thrown into the sea. It’s one of the most important things to carry while you’re out fishing. Choosing a reel also depends on whether you’re fishing in saltwater or freshwater.

Reels are also used in the winding, stowing lines, angling, and specialized competitions as well. It can also be mounted on boats if you prefer it that way though most people use it in combination with fishing rods.

Related article: Magnet Fishing? Everything you need to know!

3 – Fishing Line

Fishing lines are cords that are used for angling. The line is usually attached to the hook, which catches the fish by the mouthparts. The hook usually has the bait as well.

To get started, you need to get a line that’s easy for you to use and control. Usually, anglers will choose lines based on durability, weight, and material. Most lines are made from silk, polymers, or nylon.

Related guides: How to tie two fishing lines together

4 – Baits Or Lures

Lures are, well, as the name suggests “tools to lure your fish in”. If you manage to get them right, you’re one step closer to having a great outing. Baits can be artificial or natural.

In the case of artificial bait, the line is hooked with a lure that’s not actual food. It’s created such that fish are attracted to it instantly. Natural baits could be anything fish love to eat and will come close to it, a classic example being worms.

5 – Scissors

What good is your fishing session if there are no scissors? You’ll be needing them to cut loose fish, manage your lines, and loads of other stuff. Not to mention, they can also be quite useful when you’re finally ready to have a go at those delicious fishes.

One more thing you’ll be needing is the first aid kit.

Often, people go off to fishing without keeping first aid kits with them. The importance of holding these can’t be stressed enough. It’s only human to make mistakes, and the equipment you’re dealing with can get you small, painful cuts.

First aid kits will keep you safe and sound throughout your journey. Most ponds or fishing valleys aren’t close to town, so you might not be able to get immediate help either. These kits can provide you some relief until you’re off to the hospital or some relief center.

How To Set Up A Fishing Pole (11 Steps)

Step 1: Let’s Clean The Rod

Before you or even we begin on showing you how to set up a fishing rod, you need to clean it. Cleaning a rod doesn’t mean washing it down with powder and surfs. Instead, just wipe it clean using a clean piece of cloth.

If there is dirt, sand, or other pollutes, make sure you’ve cleaned them properly. This will make sure the reel sits in its place correctly, and the assembling part is way more comfortable than it sounds. Also, the fishing rod will even smell better rather than stinky (from an old fishing session).

Step 2: Let’s Assemble It

Now, let’s move on to assembling the fishing pole. Remember how we mentioned your rod could be in one piece or multiple pieces. So, firstly, you should set up your rod if it’s in various pieces as per the manufacturer’s assembly guide.

Each part will have a ferrule which can help you screw the piece in its section. If your rod isn’t aligned or there’s another issue with how you’re screwing it, don’t force it in. Rather than damaging it perfectly, see if you’re missing something and then assemble it correctly.

Step 3: Attach The Reel

If you notice the bottom section of your fishing rod, there’s space for the reel. Take your reel and slowly push it in its place. The reel’s foot should quickly settle in if there are no signs of breakage or damage on it.

Once you’ve placed the reel in its place, it’s time to tighten it. Do this process very slowly and firmly. Don’t tighten the coil too much, or you might break it here as well.

Step 4: Let’s Thread The Pole

It’s time to put the thread on our rod. Attach the thread or line and tighten up the reel. Make sure you’ve locked the thread in its place before you move on to the next step.

Lift the bale arm and pull the thread. Once down, you should get it through the guides on your fishing rod (most of them have around 4 or 5 of those). Close the bale arm once you’ve correctly threaded your fishing pole.

Step 5: Choosing The Bait

Next, choose a bait you’ll be using to catch the fish. You might be wondering: why bother adding this step as if it’s too important? Well, it is as choosing the right bait is essential to catch fish.

Depending on the weather, you might want to choose a bait that’s a specific color — for example, summer weather calls for silver or light-colored bait. You might also want to pick a particular type of lure.

Step 6: Hook The Lure To The Thread

Next, it’s time to thread the line through the lure. You might want to practice tying knots with other lines (or shoelaces) as they’re darker and more comfortable to see. Most fishing lines are quite thin and almost transparent, so the tying process requires time.

Make sure you’ve threaded the lure properly. Since the fish will have it in its mouthparts, there’s constant movement. If the knot is weak or opens too quickly, you’re prone to losing the fish you’ve just caught.

Step 7: Add A Sinker (Or Something That Adds Weight!)

Once you’ve completed these steps, it’s time to add a sinker to your thread. The sinker is supposed to add weight to your bait and slow down the fish a bit and help in casting. Fishers often make use of slip sinkers with their rods and reels to add more weight.

If you feel you’ve already assembled a good rod and there’s no need for sinkers, you can avoid this step. If not, you might want to shop for a piece and attach it to your rod. It can also help your bait go farther down, help cast it farther, and increase the rate of sink.

Step 8: It’s Time To Fish!

Here’s our last step in “how to set up a fishing rod for beginners”: fish your heart away. Hopefully, you’ve followed along and set up your rod just like we said. If done, it’s finally time for you to drive to that pond and fish all evening long!

Remember to be safe and maintain your distance from the pond. Also, make sure you’ve set up your rod based on the fish you’re going to catch. If you’re not sure which fish populate that pond, you might want to observe before you start!

Recap: Everything You Need!

Let’s recap what we’ve just discussed above. Before you begin assembling your rod, you’ll be needing:

• A fishing pole.
• Reel.
• Line.
• Lures or bait.
• Scissors.
• First aid kits.

Once you’ve got it all, it’s time to begin assembling the rod. Firstly, make sure your rod is in a single piece or intact. You can attach the rod’s pieces if it’s in multiple pieces by screwing the ferrules together in their corresponding sections.

Secondly, it’s time to hook the reel in. Then, start threading the pole and tighten the thread without breaking it away. Pick a bait and hook it to the end of your thread, depending on the weather you’re going to observe while you’re fishing.

Lastly, add sinkers if you wish to add more weight to your line. If not, there you go. You’ve just made your fishing pole, and the only activity that remains is to fish. Find a pond or somewhere close by where you can catch it, and it’s time to head out!