If you’re a fishing freshie, the idea of setting up a fishing rod for the first time can seem a bit confusing. There’s line to feed, knots to tie and enough bits and bobs to leave you scratching your head. The good news is it’s much easier than it looks!
All you need is a basic spinning rod and reel, a few simple tackle items and the steps below, and you’ll be ready to wet a line in no time. Here’s how to get your rod set up without tying yourself in knots.
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What you’ll need
Before getting started, you’ll need to get your hands on one or some of these beauties:
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A spinning rod
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A hook, lure or fishing rig
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Line cutters or scissors
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Bait, if you’re bait fishing
A spinning outfit is a great option for first-time fishos because it’s simple to use, easy to cast, and suitable for everything from your bread-and-butter bream, whiting and flathead, to trout, trevally and everything in between.
Step 1: Match your rod and reel
Fishing rods and reels come in plenty of sizes, but your first setup doesn’t need to be complicated. For general estuary, freshwater and light land-based fishing, a 6 to 7-foot rod paired with a 2000 to 3000 size spinning reel is a cracking all-rounder.
It’s light enough to cast comfortably all day but still has enough grunt to handle those bigger fish when they decide to show up. You’ll be ready for anything from bream and whiting to flathead and bass without feeling undergunned or like you’ve brought a game-fishing outfit to the local estuary system.
Step 2: Attach the reel to the rod
Find the reel seat near the rod handle and loosen it enough to slide the reel foot into position. Once it’s sitting neatly in place, tighten the reel seat until the reel feels secure.
The reel should hang underneath the rod, with the handle on whichever side feels most comfortable. Most spinning reels let you swap the handle from left to right, so set it up to suit.
Give it a quick wiggle before moving on; firm is good, there’s no need to crank it down too tight though.
Step 3: Add line to the reel
Some reels come pre-spooled with line, which makes life a whole lot easier. If yours doesn’t, don’t stress. You’ll just need to grab a spool of either monofilament or braided line to attach to your reel.
Monofilament is affordable, easy to tie and extremely forgiving, making it a solid option for beginners. Braid on the other hand is thinner, stronger and more sensitive, but it normally comes with a price tag to match. Braid is the top pick for lure fishing and is usually paired with a separate mono or fluorocarbon leader line.
To spool the reel:
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Open the reel’s bail arm.
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Tie the fishing line around the spool using an arbor knot or uni knot.
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Close the bail arm.
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Hold the line under light tension.
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Slowly wind the reel handle to fill the spool.
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Keep the line firm as it goes onto the reel so it sits neatly and doesn’t create loose loops.
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Stop when the line sits a few millimetres below the edge of the spool. Overfilling it can cause tangles when you cast, while underfilling can reduce casting distance.
Step 4: Feed the line through the rod guides
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Once the reel is in place, open the bail arm and pull out enough line to reach the end of the rod.
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Start with the guide closest to the reel, then work your way up the rod until the line comes through the tip guide.
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The smaller guides near the top are easy to miss, so give everything a quick check before closing the bail arm and moving on.
Missing a guide happens to the best of us. If you spot one, simply pull the line back and thread it through properly. Fishing with a skipped guide can shorten your casts and put uneven pressure on the rod when a fish is hooked.
Step 5: Attach your leader
If you’re using braid, adding a leader is a smart move. Fluorocarbon or monofilament leader gives you extra protection around rocks, timber, pylons and other rough stuff that can wear through your line.
It’s also less visible in the water, helping your bait or lure look a little more natural. To join braid to leader, try a double uni knot or FG knot. The FG knot is neat and strong, while the double uni is usually easier to get the hang of when you’re starting out.
For general light fishing, a leader around the length of your rod is a handy starting point. You can then go lighter or heavier depending on the fish you’re chasing and how snaggy the area is.
Step 6: Choose your rig
The business end of your setup will depend on whether you’re using bait or lures.
Basic bait fishing rig
A running sinker rig is one of the simplest and most useful setups a fisho can learn. Slide a small ball sinker onto the main line, tie on a swivel, then add a short length of leader and finish with a hook.
Because the sinker can move freely along the line, a fish can pick up the bait without feeling too much weight straight away.
It’s a handy rig for chasing bream, whiting, flathead and plenty of freshwater species. Just match the hook and sinker size to your bait, the fish you’re after, and the conditions on the day.
Basic lure fishing setup
When using a lure, you can tie it straight to the leader or add a small lure clip if you want to swap lures without retying every time.
A loop knot can help some lures move more freely and look more natural in the water. For a simple, reliable connection, the uni knot or improved clinch knot are both handy options to have in the kit.
Keep clips and swivels small and light. Bulky terminal tackle can affect the way lighter lures swim and make fish a little more suspicious.
Step 7: Check your drag
The drag lets line pull from the reel when a fish takes off. Set it too tight and you risk snapping the line. Too loose and the fish could make a quick dash back into the snags.
With the bail arm closed, gently pull some line from the reel. It should come away smoothly with a bit of pressure, rather than feeling locked up or running out too easily.
A good rule is to set the drag at around one-third of your line’s breaking strain, but there’s no need to get too technical. Start slightly lighter and tighten it during the fight if needed.
The drag is there to wear the fish out, not stop it dead in its tracks.
Step 8: Give everything a final check
Before sending out your first cast, give the whole setup a quick once-over. Check that the reel is secure, the line runs through every guide, your knots are tight and the drag pulls smoothly. Trim any long tag ends and make sure your hook or lure is in good nick.
It’s also worth checking the line for any frayed or damaged sections, especially after fishing around rocks, oysters, timber or other snaggy country. A quick check now could save you losing a fish later.
Beginner fishing rod setup tips
When you’re starting out, simple is best. A basic setup with the right-sized tackle will catch plenty of fish — you don’t need to go overboard.
Spend a little time practising your knots before the trip and keep a couple of spare rigs up your sleeve. That way, if you lose one to a snag, you can re-rig quickly and get right back into the action.
Don’t worry if your casting needs a bit of work. Every fisho has got a bird’s nest (line tangle), hooked a tree or sent a lure somewhere it definitely wasn’t meant to go. It’s all part of learning and usually makes for a good story later.
Ready to wet a line?
Once you’ve set up your fishing rod a few times, the whole process quickly becomes second nature. Start with a simple spinning outfit, match your tackle to the fish you’re chasing and spend a little time practising your knots and casting.
Before long, you’ll be rigging up without thinking twice and hopefully your first fish won’t be far away. For help choosing the right rod, reel, line or tackle, drop into your local BCF and have a chat with the BCFing Experts.
About the author
BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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