There’s nothing like the thrill of your first fish. That little pull on the line, the sudden bend of the rod, and the heart-pounding moment when something from beneath the surface finally says, “Alright, let’s dance.”
If you’re new to fishing or thinking of picking up a line this year, you’re in for a lifelong adventure. From casting into a quiet Ontario lake to tossing bait into the salt-soaked surf, every angler starts with a line in the water and a whole lot to learn.
Keep reading to discover the basics, the gear, and the know-how to hook your first fish.
Freshwater vs Saltwater: What’s the Difference?
Sure, it’s all fishing, but these two worlds couldn’t be more different.
Freshwater is where most folks start. Lakes, rivers, creeks — places you can hike to, cast into from shore, and ease into the rhythm without needing a sea chart or a tide table. You’ll meet species like bass, walleye, perch, pike, and trout, each with its quirks and preferences.
You can wade into a weedy bay with a bobber and a worm or throw a few casts off the dock, and chances are something’s gonna bite. It’s fishing that teaches patience, observation, and the gentle art of knowing when to set the hook.
Saltwater, on the other hand, is a different beast. It’s bigger water, bigger fish, and gear that must be tougher than a two-dollar steak. Salt will chew up your tackle if you don’t clean it right, and that’s a lesson most of us only need to learn once.
You’ve got tides to track, surf to read, and species that can empty your spool before you even know they’ve hit. It’s wild, unpredictable, and thrilling in a way that freshwater rarely is. And when that first silver flash breaks the surface, all that prep pays off.
Both styles have their own joys, but understanding the difference early saves you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
Top Beginner Tips for Freshwater Fishing
Freshwater is where most of us got our feet wet, quite literally. It’s simple to start, costs less, and Ontario offers some of the best freshwater fishing in North America. Here’s how to make the most of your first casts:
- Start with a spinning reel. They’re easier to manage and tangle less than baitcasters. Okuma reels are solid with affordable models that are perfect for beginners, and you can find plenty at Angling Sports.
- Stick to still waters. Quiet lakes and slow-moving rivers are more forgiving than fast currents or windy reservoirs.
- Avoid snag-heavy areas. Rocks, stumps, and submerged logs might hold fish, but they’ll also eat your tackle. Constantly breaking lines or needing help to unsnag a hook can turn a fun afternoon into pure frustration.
- Practice makes you better. Don’t worry about landing trophies at first. Focus on casting cleanly and handling your gear smoothly.
- Go local. Learn your nearby spots, the fish they hold, and what bait works best. Some of the best lessons come from talking to us old-timers at the boat launch.
A worm on a hook will catch more fish than a $30 lure in the wrong spot. Learn your waters, and the rest will follow.
Top Beginner Tips for Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater has a way of making you feel small — the waves, the tides, the fish that fight like they’ve got something to prove. It’s intimidating at first, but there’s no feeling like it once you get the hang of it. Here are some beginner tips to help you keep it simple:
- Buy saltwater-rated gear. Don’t bring a freshwater reel to a saltwater fight because it won’t last. Corrosion is real. Browse our saltwater gear online to get set up right from the start.
- Match your tackle to the target. Surfcasting? You’ll need a longer rod and heavier weights. Pier fishing? Medium rods work fine. Boat fishing? Ask the captain, they’ll know.
- Tie your knots right. The ocean will undoubtedly test your rig. A bad knot is a lost fish (and maybe your best lure).
- Clean your gear religiously. Rinse every rod, reel, and hook in fresh water after each trip.
- Don’t overlook good waders, either. Simms Waders are a favourite for staying dry and mobile in the surf. They’re built to take a beating, just like the old dogs wearing ‘em.
Rod and Reel Basics: Choosing the Right Setup
Let’s talk gear. You don’t need a wall of rods or a dozen reels to get started. What you do need is the right combo for the job.
Freshwater Starter Setup
A spinning rod and reel combo is your best friend here. Look for a 6 to 7-foot rod with light to medium action. That’ll handle most local species without being too stiff or too soft.
Pair it with a quality spinning reel, like the Okuma reel and 6 – 10 lb monofilament line. Keep it simple, balanced, and easy to handle.
Saltwater Starter Setup
You’ll need something beefier here. Go with a medium-heavy spinning rod and reel (7 to 9 ft, depending on where you’re fishing) or, once you’re confident, a baitcaster designed for saltwater use. Don’t skimp on quality. Salt chews up cheap gear fast.
Bait, Lures, and What Actually Works
You could fill a tackle box the size of a suitcase and still reach for the same three things.
For freshwater:
- Live worms are king. Panfish, bass, and trout will all take a worm
- Soft plastics mimic baitfish and can be deadly when fished slowly
- Inline spinners and spoons work great in clear water or current
- Topwater lures are fun when fish are aggressive. Use early morning or late evening
For saltwater:
- Shrimp, squid, and cut metal jigs are go-tos for most inshore species
- Metal jigs and spoons are great for casting long and handling current
- Poppers can draw explosive strikes in shallow surf or estuaries
- Bucktail jigs are old-school and still get it done
When in doubt, ask the crew at your local fishing store. Nobody knows what’s biting like the folks who sell bait every day.
What Every Beginner Gets Wrong (and How to Avoid It)
We’ve all been there. You’re standing knee-deep in water, tangled in your own line, wondering how anyone ever enjoys this. Here are a few lessons most of us learn the hard way:
- Don’t cheap out on fishing line. Old or brittle line snaps when it matters most
- Learn to cast slowly. Most new anglers whip the rod like a sword. Smooth and steady wins the fishing race
- Respect the rules. Ontario’s regulations are strict, so know your seasons, limits, and zones
- Match your hook to your bait. Big bait on tiny hooks won’t stay put, and tiny bait on big hooks won’t get bit
- Don’t fish when you’re tired. A tired angler misses strikes, ties sloppy knots, and forgets where they stashed their pliers
And for the love of the fish gods, check your drag before casting. Nothing humbles a new angler faster than losing a fish because your reel was locked down like a vice. OR, the total opposite, you get a bite and go to set the hook, and the drag is so loose that you miss the fish altogether.
Leave the Water and Shoreline Better Than You Found It
When you head out to fish, make sure you don’t leave anything behind but your footprints in the mud. That means every piece of garbage, even cigarette butts, gets packed and taken with you.
Bag your trash, tuck it in your tackle box if you have to. Do what I do: bring an extra garbage bag and fill it with any mess left by others. Old line, bait containers, beer cans — clean water starts with clean habits.
And if you’re cooking a shore lunch or staying overnight, follow fire safety rules like your life depends on it. Mother Nature starts enough forest fires with our help.
Staying Legal and Respectful in 2025
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been fishing; the rules still apply.
You’ll need a valid Outdoors Card and a Sport or Conservation Fishing Licence in Ontario unless you’re fishing during a licence-free weekend. Keep that paperwork handy and up to date.
Fishing zones vary, and so do the seasons. What’s open in one region might be closed in another, or even protected under fish sanctuary rules. Keep a copy of the 2025 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary nearby or bookmarked on your phone. It’s your best tool, after your rod.
It’s Not About the First Catch, It’s About the First Cast
No one forgets their first fish. But before that ever happens, there’s the first cast — the moment you stop thinking about it and finally get your line in the water.
If you’re standing on the edge, wondering if this is the year you finally give it a try, don’t wait. Get out there. Ask questions. Watch the water. You don’t have to know everything to start. You just have to start. Your gear’s waiting, and so is the water.
