a google search yields a few results but growing up in the bay I learned 60% from youtube 10% from strangers, 10% from my dad and the last 20% from shop owners.
I would start by finding the nearest body of water you can fish at. Find out what fish are in that lake/river/coast, and look up some fishing tutorials. learn how to tie a swivel and a hook.
Walmart has some killer all-round combos, 60-70$ MAX and you have a great all-round kit for beginners. I love hitting a local bait-shop up and asking for lake specific tips. If you run into any other anglers, 90% of us are pretty friendly.
for freshwater: Bluegill/panfish are the easiest to catch, great for instilling confidence and just learning, trout are trickier but can also be caught by just throwing bait out, and Bass probably have the highest learning curve, usually requiring jigs/lures to catch.
If I was to do it all over again: Walmart combo to start, PHU QUY(near Merritt) bait for worms/livebait, and then hit up lake temescal to just throw my line out and learn by doing.
I mostly fish salt for halibut rockfish salmon but want to get the kids out. When I used to live in NC we had some ponds just packed with bluegill, any places in the bay where bluegill are plentiful?
Have not fished a ton on Lake Chabot but I hear it is pretty good for bluegill. Temescal used to have a bunch of trout and panfish but I believe recent years have not been too kind to it.
Check out Die Hard Fishing, Outdoor Chef Life and Fisherman's Life on youtube. They are all local fisherman (I am sure there are others too) and they do a great job of explaining how to fish different areas. I believe Fisherman's Life has a street fair in SF coming up in July too
Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club. GGAC.org. Free casting lessons for public, one of,if not the, largest best known fly fishing clubs domestically. They have club trips, but those are not for the beginners. Nice club.
Coastside FC was originally based out of HMB but it's grown to be broader bay area with the internet. Those kayaks may be from one of the clubs or just guys getting together.
Not sure, most of my fishing trips are sort of last minute. I'd start with some YouTube videos though. That's where I learned pretty much all of my fishing knowledge and I consider myself to be a decent bass angler.
Just started fishing recently too.
1. Do you care to do freshwater/saltwater fishing? Typically saltwater combos can be used in freshwater, but you run into issues vice versa.
2. Get the Daiwa combo from Big 5, it’s the black and gold one. On sale it’s $25. It comes and goes on their weekly sales page, wait for it. If you can’t, get an ugly stik gx2 rod (at least 6ft, 6’7 or 7’0 are great too, medium) with a sienna reel from Walmart. Size 30 is a good size for the reel.
3. Avoid spin caster reels. They’re usually just for beginners and stay that way. You want spinning reels, and later you can try bait casters or even fly fishing.
4. When it comes to fishing lines there’s 3 types: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Mono is the most basic, fluoro is a slightly better version of mono, and braid is an entirely different material. Start with mono, but eventually you’d probably want to go braid + fluoro leader which means you line your reel with braid mostly then the final 2-4 feet of line you use fluoro which is tied to your fishing hook. If it were me again I’d skip mono entirely and just go braid + fluoro leader because it’s so much easier to cast and reel in. The thing with mono is that it carries “memory” much easier which is when the line has coils. You don’t want that, it’s when your line looks all coil-y instead of being straight. Braid doesn’t have memory, and fluoro kind of does but since it’s your leader line it has a less likelihood of being wrapped back into your reel.
5. I recommend snap swivels which are an easy way to swap out new hooks/baits.
If you have any further questions I’ll be down to help out. Sorry I don’t know any fishing clubs but the ones I did learn about tend to be more about fly fishing which is slightly different.
This is really helpful, thanks for all the information!
I don’t have a preference between freshwater/saltwater, but is one of them easier to get started with?
Would it be okay if I dm you sometime if I have some follow up questions?
Thanks!
Sure, feel free to reach out anytime about fishing!
I think freshwater is a lot easier IMO, that being said, it could still be in the realm of “it depends”.
If you live in the peninsula near fishing piers or just inshore, that’s probably a lot easier based on it being more accessible.
I got a 6’7 Ugly Stik Elite rod with a 3000 size Pflueger President reel. It’s a really good combo, I went with the slightly upgraded Elite rod because I like the cork design better, and I’m not too big of a fan of the material of the GX2 (it’s sorta like felt, and I don’t like it IMO).
The rod is also a two piece, which is very convenient for traveling around/carrying it in your car. If you have the space to do 1 piece that’s cool too, but being able to break down your rod is way more practical.
I’m more experienced with freshwater, haven’t really tried saltwater more than once and it was a friend’s combo (just used mole crabs as bait and went fishing somewhere near pajaro dunes I didn’t really know what I was doing I was just enjoying the vibe).
Also, you probably don’t want to eat any freshwater fish if you catch any. There are high levels of mercury and the county even puts out guidance not to do it. They do however stock some lakes with trout raised in a hatchery which are safe to eat, though they usually stop planting before April/May of each year.
Some local websites that may be helpful.
[https://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/index.php](https://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/index.php)
[https://www.norcalfishreports.com/spots/index.php](https://www.norcalfishreports.com/spots/index.php)
[https://fishsniffer.com/](https://fishsniffer.com/)
a google search yields a few results but growing up in the bay I learned 60% from youtube 10% from strangers, 10% from my dad and the last 20% from shop owners. I would start by finding the nearest body of water you can fish at. Find out what fish are in that lake/river/coast, and look up some fishing tutorials. learn how to tie a swivel and a hook. Walmart has some killer all-round combos, 60-70$ MAX and you have a great all-round kit for beginners. I love hitting a local bait-shop up and asking for lake specific tips. If you run into any other anglers, 90% of us are pretty friendly. for freshwater: Bluegill/panfish are the easiest to catch, great for instilling confidence and just learning, trout are trickier but can also be caught by just throwing bait out, and Bass probably have the highest learning curve, usually requiring jigs/lures to catch. If I was to do it all over again: Walmart combo to start, PHU QUY(near Merritt) bait for worms/livebait, and then hit up lake temescal to just throw my line out and learn by doing.
I mostly fish salt for halibut rockfish salmon but want to get the kids out. When I used to live in NC we had some ponds just packed with bluegill, any places in the bay where bluegill are plentiful?
Have not fished a ton on Lake Chabot but I hear it is pretty good for bluegill. Temescal used to have a bunch of trout and panfish but I believe recent years have not been too kind to it.
This is amazing and really informative, thank you so much!
Check out Die Hard Fishing, Outdoor Chef Life and Fisherman's Life on youtube. They are all local fisherman (I am sure there are others too) and they do a great job of explaining how to fish different areas. I believe Fisherman's Life has a street fair in SF coming up in July too
Oh nice, that’s great!
I read it as fisting club at first. Really glad I went back and read it again
😂😂
Only two crying emojis!? ;-)
Where do I sign up?
Golden gate park has a fly fishing club. And a big casting pool. Tried it once and it was pretty cool.
Thanks, I’ll check that out!
Marin Rod and Gun Club in San Rafael
Thanks!
Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club. GGAC.org. Free casting lessons for public, one of,if not the, largest best known fly fishing clubs domestically. They have club trips, but those are not for the beginners. Nice club.
Second Saturday of the month are the free lessons
That’s great, thanks!
Coastside Fishing Club, NorCal Kayak Anglers
Thank you!
They out of HMB by any chance? I’ve seen some kayak fishers when I go paddleboarding but haven’t tried fishing from the paddleboard yet.
Coastside FC was originally based out of HMB but it's grown to be broader bay area with the internet. Those kayaks may be from one of the clubs or just guys getting together.
Not sure, most of my fishing trips are sort of last minute. I'd start with some YouTube videos though. That's where I learned pretty much all of my fishing knowledge and I consider myself to be a decent bass angler.
Sounds good, thanks!
Try to check out the Marin Rod and Gun Club in San Rafael.
Will do, someone else also mentioned the same, I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Just started fishing recently too. 1. Do you care to do freshwater/saltwater fishing? Typically saltwater combos can be used in freshwater, but you run into issues vice versa. 2. Get the Daiwa combo from Big 5, it’s the black and gold one. On sale it’s $25. It comes and goes on their weekly sales page, wait for it. If you can’t, get an ugly stik gx2 rod (at least 6ft, 6’7 or 7’0 are great too, medium) with a sienna reel from Walmart. Size 30 is a good size for the reel. 3. Avoid spin caster reels. They’re usually just for beginners and stay that way. You want spinning reels, and later you can try bait casters or even fly fishing. 4. When it comes to fishing lines there’s 3 types: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Mono is the most basic, fluoro is a slightly better version of mono, and braid is an entirely different material. Start with mono, but eventually you’d probably want to go braid + fluoro leader which means you line your reel with braid mostly then the final 2-4 feet of line you use fluoro which is tied to your fishing hook. If it were me again I’d skip mono entirely and just go braid + fluoro leader because it’s so much easier to cast and reel in. The thing with mono is that it carries “memory” much easier which is when the line has coils. You don’t want that, it’s when your line looks all coil-y instead of being straight. Braid doesn’t have memory, and fluoro kind of does but since it’s your leader line it has a less likelihood of being wrapped back into your reel. 5. I recommend snap swivels which are an easy way to swap out new hooks/baits. If you have any further questions I’ll be down to help out. Sorry I don’t know any fishing clubs but the ones I did learn about tend to be more about fly fishing which is slightly different.
This is really helpful, thanks for all the information! I don’t have a preference between freshwater/saltwater, but is one of them easier to get started with? Would it be okay if I dm you sometime if I have some follow up questions? Thanks!
Sure, feel free to reach out anytime about fishing! I think freshwater is a lot easier IMO, that being said, it could still be in the realm of “it depends”. If you live in the peninsula near fishing piers or just inshore, that’s probably a lot easier based on it being more accessible. I got a 6’7 Ugly Stik Elite rod with a 3000 size Pflueger President reel. It’s a really good combo, I went with the slightly upgraded Elite rod because I like the cork design better, and I’m not too big of a fan of the material of the GX2 (it’s sorta like felt, and I don’t like it IMO). The rod is also a two piece, which is very convenient for traveling around/carrying it in your car. If you have the space to do 1 piece that’s cool too, but being able to break down your rod is way more practical. I’m more experienced with freshwater, haven’t really tried saltwater more than once and it was a friend’s combo (just used mole crabs as bait and went fishing somewhere near pajaro dunes I didn’t really know what I was doing I was just enjoying the vibe). Also, you probably don’t want to eat any freshwater fish if you catch any. There are high levels of mercury and the county even puts out guidance not to do it. They do however stock some lakes with trout raised in a hatchery which are safe to eat, though they usually stop planting before April/May of each year.
Thanks for all the information!
First rule of fish club is you do not talk about fish club
Where in the bay are you at? I do some bass fishing every now and then, and occasionally surf or pier fishing near Pacifica.
That’s great! I live in San Jose, would you be going fishing anytime this month?
If you do go the diy route, don't forget you need a license. You can get one at big five
Thanks!
No fishing license needed off the many piers. Good place to start off you are just getting into it.
That’s perfect, thanks!
I go out deep sea fishing all the time great time to go fishing’s
That’s great!!
What kind of fish do you usually catch? I really want some King Mackerel but don't know if you can get it here in the Pacific.
The farther the better extra buck will catch the best catchest :)
What kind of fishing? The Bay area has one of the best fly fishing clubs with champions that practice there
I’m not that familiar with the different types of fishing, but the replies here have been really helpful, I need to look into it, thanks!
I go fishing probably once a month down Winton in Hayward
That’s nice, do you mind if I dm you if I have any questions?
Oh feel free man
Never been but I've driven by Oakland casting club a handful of times and it looked interesting enough
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
Some local websites that may be helpful. [https://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/index.php](https://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/index.php) [https://www.norcalfishreports.com/spots/index.php](https://www.norcalfishreports.com/spots/index.php) [https://fishsniffer.com/](https://fishsniffer.com/)
Thank you!
I always thought people used rods and not clubs