Required "tools" for a newbie

[smithers]

Ok guys, so far I have been learning a lot from reading all of the various posts. Lots of great knowlege on this board. Here is one for you. What, as far as tackle goes, do you feel is a must for a newbie to have in his arsenal?

I think this would really help out a lot of us newbies out there. Thanks guys!

[dardevle]

Are you talking terminal tackle like corky, yarn, jig, float, spoon, spinner etc. or are you talking rod, line, reel etc.?  I assume you are talking about catching steelhead.  Or maybe your talking pliers, hook file, waders?  If you can be more specific then I think we can help you more easily. 

If you are talking terminal tackle, I think any new steelheader needs an assortment of jigs and floats.  That is the easiest way to start learning to catch these fish.  If this is what you're talking about I can give you some can't miss specifics to get you started.

[smithers]

Dardevle, I was thinking more along the lines of terminal tackle.

[Mike_USCG]

Yes, I would definatly like to hear what you guys recommend as far as terminal tackle also.

[BC Steel]

Hmmm... maybe take a look in the tips and tutorials section    Lots of good stuff in there!

[zonker]

Smithers,

If you want to fish for winter steelhead with jigs (which is where I'd start - its the easiest for a beginner) get a good medium sized spinning reel spooled with 20 lb. yellow Powerpro braided line, one of the various inexpensive medium 10.5 foot spinning rods (Shakespeare Intrepid, Okuma Celio, or Shimano Convergence come to mind - around $50 - you don't need an expensive rod to jig fish), a spool of Ultragreen 10 lb. leader material, a handful of dink floats with inline weights to match, and a dozen or so 1/8 oz. pink, cerise, or pink/white jigs. I'd throw in a good hook file to keep the hooks sharp, a small pair of scissors for the braided line and some fingernail clippers for the leader. Add to this a fishing license, harvest tag, ink pen, and pocketknife if you want to keep your hatchery fish. All of this except the rod and reel could fit in the pockets of your jacket or coat. Take along a camera of some kind (disposable if funds are in short supply) to record that all important first fish and you're in business.

You might also beg or borrow a copy of Amato/Herzog's video on steelhead jig fishing to keep you pumped up.

Then later you can branch out and add the tons of tackle that most of us have stashed in our closets, garages, drift boats, etc.

That's my two cents.

zonker

[Fllyfishy]

Right on the $$$$ again Dave.

[dardevle]

Zonk, that was perfect!  You make it sound so simple!  Maybe it is!

[First Bite]

I think Zonker covered it pretty good.  To save some cash on leader material take down your spare spool to the tackle store and have them load it up with your favorite line.  A hundred yards of mono will only set you back a couple bucks and this will tie up a lot of leaders.

Mark