Practice
Gear and how to fish
What to bring for reservoirs, shore fishing, active sea fishing, and safe handling of dangerous species.
Quick principle
Simple rig first, complexity later
Choose a scenario, pack the minimum kit, and check rules before the trip.
Freshwater
License required
Sea
Shore usually license-free
Danger species
Pliers, not bare hands
FreshwaterBeginner
Reservoir starter kit
A simple setup for carp, crucian carp, roach, tilapia, and peaceful reservoir fish.
Bring
- DFMR license and ID
- float, feeder, or bottom tackle matched to the spot and target fish
- a small set of lines/leaders, hooks, sinkers, and feeders without forcing one exact rig
- bread, corn, worms, dough, and light groundbait
- landing net, water for hands, trash bag
How to fish
- Choose a safe bank and check that the reservoir is open.
- Feed lightly and fish one spot for 20-30 minutes.
- If quiet, change depth or move to the next drop-off.
Avoid
- do not use a boat on freshwater
- do not leave line or trash
FreshwaterIntermediate
Spinning for bass, perch, and zander
For freshwater predators: bass, perch, zander, asp, trout. Focus on cover, depth, and pauses.
Bring
- light or medium-light spinning rod: match it to lure, wind, and spot
- braid or mono plus leader; choose thickness by snags and fish size
- soft plastics, wobblers, spoons, jig heads
- polarized glasses and long pliers
How to fish
- Fish rocks, shade, weed, dam walls, and sharp drops.
- Make 3-5 casts from different angles.
- Change retrieve speed: steady, pauses, jig steps.
Avoid
- avoid dangerous wet rocks
- do not grab fish by the gills
SeaBeginner
Sea shore: bottom, feeder, float
For mullet, dorado, sea bream, red mullet, salema, and calm shore sessions.
Bring
- shore tackle matched to method: float, bottom, feeder, or light rockfishing
- leaders, sinkers, and hooks in several sizes to adapt to swell and bottom
- shrimp, squid, mussel, bread for mullet
- rock shoes, light, towel, pliers
How to fish
- Check swell, wind, swimmers, and no-fishing areas.
- Fish sunrise, sunset, or coloured water after wind.
- Keep distance from people and do not block access.
Avoid
- do not hand-handle scorpionfish, lionfish, weever, or stingray
- no nets for recreational fishing
SeaAdvanced
Active sea fishing
Spinning and boat tactics for barracuda, bluefish, leerfish, tuna, amberjack, and mahi-mahi.
Bring
- sea spinning rod matched to style: ultralight/light for rockfishing or stronger for distance and larger predators
- braid, fluorocarbon, and leader matched to lure, rocks, and toothy fish
- metal jigs, minnows, stickbaits, poppers, bite leader for toothy fish
- sunglasses, cap, water, first aid, and long pliers
How to fish
- Look for birds, baitfish, current, harbour mouths, and breakwater edges.
- Start with fast searching, then slow down around contacts.
- Check drag: big predators hit hard.
Avoid
- avoid storms and slippery breakwaters
- do not handle toothy fish without pliers
SeaAll levels
Danger species and safety
Danger species should be handled separately: lionfish, scorpionfish, weever, stingray, pufferfish, moray, and other risky accidental catches.
Bring
- long pliers, cutters, gloves with caution
- small first-aid kit and phone
- container/bucket if fish must be moved safely
How to fish
- Do not pick up unknown fish barehanded.
- If it has spines or teeth, unhook with pliers.
- Do not eat silver-cheeked toadfish/pufferfish at all.
Avoid
- do not step on fish in sand
- do not let children touch unknown catches