A Beginner’s Guide to Taking a Fishing Holiday

21 September 2017

Fishing holidays are hugely popular, whether it’s here in the UK or heading further afield. And they’re the perfect way to kick back, relax and hopefully make some big catches!

If you’re brand new to fishing, there is a lot to take in. So we’re going to look through everything you need to take with you. As well as some tips to make sure you have a productive and relaxing trip in our Guide to Fishing Holidays.

What to Take

Here are the essential pieces of kit which you’ll want to take with you on a fishing holiday. As you can see, there’s quite a lot, so it’s a good idea to take the car with you!

Rod and reel
Tackle
Bait
Sharp knife
Bucket to keep catches in
A cloth
Spare spool of line
First aid kit
Disgorger

If you don’t already have your own rod, the best thing to do is to go into your local tackle shop. Actually speak to the staff about where you’re going and what type of fishing you’re going to be doing. And allow them to advise you as best they can.

The main things you need to bear in mind are how heavy the rod is. As well as how much bend it has and how sturdy it is.

(If you’re going to be fishing here in the UK, you’ll need a rod licence. These can be bought from gov.uk and are available both long-term and short-term, so you could just buy one for the week/weekend that you’ll be away for. If you’re fishing outside of the UK, be sure to see if you’ll need a licence to fish there.)

Prepare for the Elements

Wherever you’re going to be fishing, it pays to be prepared for the elements. It goes without saying that here in the UK, the weather can change at the drop of a hat and the same applies elsewhere.

Take plenty of changes of clothes and make sure you’ve got some waterproofs just in case. It can be a long day when you’re sat out in the elements, so be sure to wrap up warm and bring clothes which are suitable for all types of weather.

If you’re fortunate enough to be blessed with sunshine, some high-factor sun-screen would be a good idea too.

Close Season

Be sure to check whether there is a close season where you’re going to be heading. The close season is a period where fishing is banned and you could land yourself in hot water if you don’t abide by it.

If you’re going on fishing holidays in England, the close season has been abolished in the majority of still waters and the canal network, but still applies to many rivers, from the 15^th of March to the 15^th of June.

If you’re heading abroad, check to see if a close season applies before booking to avoid disappointment.

Flying with Fishing Rods

If you’re going to be flying to your destination, you’ll have to check the airline’s policy on taking fishing rods with you.

Fishing rods generally aren’t allowed on planes as hand luggage. So you’ll have to check them into the hold, but the price to do so varies from one airline to the next.

Often, it may be easier to hire your equipment once you’re at your destination. As most lodges will offer this service and the rods should be of a decent quality.

Consider Your Fellow Fishers

There are all kinds of fishing holidays. Whether it’s a weekend with your mates where fishing is the primary focus. Or a break with the family where you’ll be trying to sneak in some fishing time wherever possible.

If it’s the latter, it’s important to make sure you plan a trip where there’s going to be plenty of things to keep everyone entertained. Not just the fishers in the group!

Make sure to check out the facilities on offer wherever you’re staying. This will ensure that everyone’s needs are catered for, whether they’re going to be joining you on the water or not.

Here at Pure Leisure we offer fishing facilities at eight of our sites across the UK, whether you want to camp by the water, or stay in one of our comfy camping pods, there’s something for everyone. Use our Guide to Fishing Holidays to find the perfect one for you.