Guides
Fishing is easier to enjoy when the basics make sense. Our guides cover first sessions, simple setups, fishing techniques, fish care and the rules you need to know before you go. Each one explains the practical choices behind a day’s fishing, so you can put the advice to use on the bank.
A practical guide for parents on taking children coarse fishing in England and Wales. Covers rod licences, day tickets, choosing family friendly venues, simple tackle, safety and basic fish care.
Getting Started19 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Explains the two legal weight thresholds for lead attached to a fishing line in England and Wales, what is exempt, reasons for the restrictions and which non-lead alternatives to choose.
Fish Care & Rules14 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
No casting, no reel: pole fishing is direct and beginner friendly. This guide covers whips versus longer poles, licences, essential kit and how to set up and fish on canals and commercial stillwaters.
Techniques & Rigs13 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Practical guidance for river coarse fishing in England: understand the close season (15 March to 15 June), obtain a rod licence and permission, pick accessible water and start with simple float or feeder methods.
Getting Started12 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Winter coarse fishing is quieter and more demanding; short two to four hour sessions on mild, settled days with small baits, fine rigs and minimal feeding often produce the best results.
Techniques & Rigs11 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Clear, practical guidance on using maggots and worms for UK coarse fishing, covering bait choice, hooking, feeding, storage and rules to keep your sessions productive.
Bait and Terminal Tackle7 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A clear guide to the coarse fishing close season in England and Wales: key dates, which waters are affected, stillwater exceptions, canal rules, and enforcement advice.
Fish Care & Rules7 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Step-by-step method feeder bait advice. Learn pellet dampening, when to use groundbait or a blend, hookbait positioning and the venue checks that save a session.
Techniques & Rigs6 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A practical primer on canal fishing for beginners: what licences and permits you need, basic tackle and bait, simple tactics and what to expect on your first session.
Getting Started5 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Simple, practical advice for staying warm while fishing in cold British conditions. Layer smartly, protect hands, feet and head, use shelter and a padded chair, carry spares and warm drinks.
Getting Started4 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A simple three-step visual method to recognise common coarse fish on stillwaters, with practical handling tips, close season notes and when to ask for help.
Fish Care & Rules3 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Bankside checklist to stop missing bites float fishing: dot the float down, plumb depth, move the bottom shot closer, match hook size, control line drag and time your strike.
Techniques & Rigs3 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Clear, practical guidance on selecting coarse fishing line. Learn when to use mono, braid or fluorocarbon, ideal diameters for float and feeder rigs, and how to check and dispose of old line.
Techniques & Rigs3 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A practical beginner's guide to method feeder fishing covering rigs, loading feeders, accurate casting, bite detection and safe fish handling to build a producing swim.
Techniques & Rigs3 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Step-by-step stillwater guide to how to set up a float fishing rod. Covers waggler components, shotting, finding depth, casting tips and quick fixes for first sessions.
Techniques & Rigs3 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Match feeder rod length to casting distance and peg space, then use the softest quivertip that stays stable. A 9 to 10ft rod and 1.5oz carbon tip suit most commercial lakes.
Techniques & Rigs1 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Practical, venue-focused guidance on fishery rules for beginners: hook types, permitted baits, required nets and mats, and safe handling so you fish legally and protect the fish.
Fish Care & Rules1 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A short post-session routine protects rods, reels, line and soft kit, prevents corrosion and helps stop spread of invasive species. Check, clean and dry gear and dry soft items for at least 24 hours.
Techniques & Rigs1 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Practical tips for carp fishing on a day ticket: pick a runs water, pack a simple rig, follow fishery rules and handle carp carefully to make your first session a success.
Getting Started1 Oct 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
On UK commercial lakes, float fishing suits near-bank, calm pegs and active sessions; feeder fishing is better for range, depth and windy or choppy conditions.
Techniques & Rigs28 Sept 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A practical guide for your first visit to a commercial fishery covering licences, day tickets, basic gear, peg etiquette and safe fish handling to help you feel ready.
Getting Started27 Sept 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Step-by-step guidance on how to unhook coarse fish safely: prepare a knotless net, wet hands, use forceps or a disgorger for deep hooks, and support fish until it swims away.
Fish Care & Rules27 Sept 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
Two permissions are required to fish in England and Wales: a national rod fishing licence and a local day ticket. Buy your licence online, check fishery rules and carry both before you fish.
Getting Started27 Sept 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team
A practical coarse fishing kit checklist for beginners: arrange a rod licence and permission, then get a rod and reel, net, unhooking kit, basic tackle and bait. Most extras can wait.
Getting Started27 Sept 2026By Lake & Lines Editorial Team