Any new hobby or pastime can seem daunting initially. You will always be aware that you don't really know what you are doing and won't want to look foolish. On the other hand, you have an exciting adventure ahead of you. most experienced anglers will be happy to help and will understand how you feel.
Before you can get started you will need to invest in some necessary equipment. You don't need to go crazy and purchase top-end gear as this would be a cost which is hard to justify when you don't have the skills to take advantage of its benefits.
But the cheapest equipment can also be a poor choice as it might not be sufficiently robust or you will be looking to upgrade soon if you become hooked! id-range equipment is a great choice and particularly pieces that are aimed at beginners but are of high quality.
Carp Rods and Reels
You certainly don't need to spend a fortune on a pair of carp rods. £70 will buy you a good quality model that's likely to stand the test of time and enable you to develop your skills. Look for a rod with a test curve of 2. 5lb and this will be a decent all-rounder. Rod Hutchinson Enduro rods would be the perfect choice and offer exceptional performance at a great price. Choose a reel with a free-spool facility. £80 will buy you a reliable model with smooth operation.
Rod Pods
These are an essential investment for fishing stony swims and sun-baked banks as bank sticks are not going to work on hard ground. Treat yourself to a good quality aluminium pod which should set you back circa £40 and team this up with pair of decent alarms and bobbins. Cheap alarms will probably cease to function when it rains which, of course, it eventually will!
Terminal Tackle
There is no point investing in a good rod if you do not attend properly to the business end of proceedings! Don't be tempted to skimp on hooks, swivels and hook link material. Buy the best because it won't cost the earth and always keep a supply with you. Store everything in a good tackle box. £80 should buy you all of the terminal tackle you need to cope with most eventualities and £35 is a good budget for the box.
Bait
You can't go wrong with boilies and pellets and there are plenty to choose from. You will have both shelf-life and frozen options and, either way, these are a small investment. Don't forget to keep an eye on use by dates if you decide to stock up on bait. A catapult for your bait would also be a useful accessory.
Chairs and Bivvies
Comfort is key if you wish to maximise your enjoyment of your sport! A decent chair will cost around £70 whilst a bed chair will set you back in the region of £180 but you will probably end up feeling this is money well spent. You can get your hands on a good Rod Hutchinson one man bivvie for just £120 but a higher end model at £300 would probably provide greater satisfaction.
With a few additional pieces like a landing net and sleeping bag, you can expect to spend £1000 in order to assemble everything you need. This might sound like a lot of money but when compared to the hours of enjoyment that it will yield, fishing gear is potentially amazing value!