Learn put and take

Put and take is the simplest way into sport fishing. Stocked rainbow trout and brown trout in lakes and ponds, with a real chance of a catch the first time you stand at the water. Here we gather the guides that take you from curious to fish in the net, in the order it makes sense to learn them.

Start here

If everything is new, take it in order. What is put and take? explains the idea briefly. The beginner’s guide then walks the whole path: fishing permit, tackle, method and your first trip. And how fishing permits work sorts out what you must have in place before you may fish. If you wonder what it costs, see what put and take costs, and if you hit fishing terms you do not recognise there is the fishing glossary.

Pick a method

The three most common methods suit different people. Bait fishing is the simplest of all and perfect for beginners and children. Spin fishing is about casting lures and varying the speed. Fly fishing gives more of a challenge when you want to develop.

Avoid the usual traps

Some mistakes come back among beginners, from tackle that is too heavy to dry knots. Read common beginner mistakes so you skip them from the start.

Fish with children

Put and take suits the family well. See family-friendly fishing for waters and tips that work even for the youngest, and for direct buying advice on tackle our buying guides.