Absolute newbie here. I didnt plan on fishing when we decided on a Florida trip this year, but rain and stuff dictated a new adventure. Fished a bit when i was a kid at a neighborhood pond, but never really got into it as an adult.
30 years later and my son is almost ten. We’re here with my in-laws in the center of Florida with not much going on. Its kinda nice. I got out to golf a couple times and beat the rain. Yesterday we decided to try fishing in the lake behind our little condo. Borrow some poles from the office and my dad had one in his garage that didnt sell at his last garage sale. So, its safe to say we arent using good equipment and i have no idea what I’m doing.
There is a dock behind the condo, and we just go out to the end and start casting. A couple hours in we havent had so much as a nibble. I go inside to eat a grilled cheese and pull up a couple youtube videos. We go back out after lunch. Its raining off and on all day, some of it pretty hard. Had to stop a couple times because i saw a little lightning in the distance. Still, it was a lazy day and not much else to do so we are determined.
We are just using live worms for bait. I dont even know how far to have the cork up the line or how to tie a hook. I’m showing my son the little that i do know, but he keeps tangling up the line. My FIL, dad, and myself take turns getting that mess sorted out. Finally about 3pm or so, i see my cork go under and head the other way. I hook my little fish and reel him in. Only using 6lb tess, so not expecting anything big. Its a little Crappie about 6 inches or so. I didnt care, we were so excited to cattch something besides a little clam i had snagged earlier. Cast again to same spot and almost immediately see the cork go under. Reel in another of the same size.
Had to stop for a rainfall and then my son and i went back out. I keep casting to the same spot, and finally get one on the line again. I give the rod to my son so he can reel this one in ( should have done that the second time). It was the smallest yet, but my son loved it.
Is this how it starts? We really had a nice time and my son and FIL are back out there already this morning. So, we only have today and tomorrow left, but I’m thinking about picking up something a little better.
We do have access to a rowboat if we want to go out on the lake. Saw some guys come back with some nice fish, but they knew what they were doing.
TL;DR. First time fishing in about 30 years. My son and i really enjoyed it. Thinking this is where addiction begins. Recommendations for inexpensive starter equipment or a good lure for lake fishing in Florida?