Beginners
Explore coarse fishing tackle, including rods, reels, floats, feeders and essential accessories. Find practical advice on choosing equipment for different species and fishing methods.
Choosing the right tackle can make a considerable difference to your coarse fishing. Whether you're float fishing for roach, feeder fishing for bream or targeting larger species such as tench and barbel, your equipment should suit the fish you're targeting and the conditions you're fishing in. Our coarse fishing tackle guides cover rods, reels, floats, feeders, terminal tackle and other essential equipment. Discover how different tackle is used, what to consider when choosing new gear and how to put together a reliable setup for your preferred fishing methods. From affordable equipment for beginners to specialist tackle for experienced anglers, our guides focus on practical advice to help you make informed decisions.
Tackle worth buying
Shop rods, reels, terminal tackle and more at Total Fishing Tackle.
The Best Baits for Chub: What to Use and When
Discover the best baits for catching chub and when to use them. From bread and maggots to worms, cheese and pellets, this guide covers proven chub baits for UK rivers.
13 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
A Beginner’s Guide to Chub Fishing
Learn how to catch chub with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover where to find chub, the best baits to use and simple float, ledger and surface fishing techniques.
13 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
Dace Fishing: A Simple Guide to Catching River Dace
Learn how to catch dace on rivers with this simple guide covering the best baits, tackle, swims, feeding techniques and how to trot a float for this fast, hard-fighting coarse fish.
3 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
How to Set Up a Waggler Float for Fishing on the Drop
Learn how to set up a waggler float for fishing on the drop, including float choice, shotting patterns, depth, feeding and how to catch fish as your bait falls naturally through the water.
3 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
The Humble Minnow: Small Fish, Big Importance
The humble minnow may be small, but it plays an important role in our rivers and lakes. Discover its place in the food chain, its traditional use as live and dead bait, and why healthy minnow populations can help support bigger predatory fish.
3 Sept 2026
Gudgeon Fishing: A Guide to One of Britain’s Smallest Coarse Fish
The gudgeon may be small, but it remains one of Britain’s most enjoyable coarse fish to catch. Discover where to find gudgeon, the best baits and tackle to use, and simple float fishing methods for catching them on rivers, canals and stillwaters.
2 Sept 2026 · 4 min read
Feeder Fishing for Roach
Learn how to catch roach using a feeder with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover simple feeder rigs, the best baits and groundbait, tackle choices, casting tips and feeding tactics for catching roach on UK rivers, lakes and canals.
2 Sept 2026 · 8 min read
A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing Lure Types
Learn the main types of fishing lures with this beginner-friendly guide covering soft plastics, spinners, spoons, crankbaits, jerkbaits, surface lures and more.
2 Sept 2026
A Beginner’s Guide to Barbel Fishing
Learn how to catch barbel with this beginner-friendly guide covering tackle, rigs, the best baits, where to find barbel and essential fish care on UK rivers.
2 Sept 2026
Float Fishing on Canals: A Simple Starting Method
Canals are the most under used beginner venue in the country. One rod, one float and a pint of maggots is genuinely all you need.
12 Aug 2026 · 4 min read
A Beginner’s Guide to Perch Fishing
Learn how to catch perch with this beginner-friendly guide covering the best baits, tackle, locations and simple techniques for perch fishing in UK rivers, canals and lakes.
11 Aug 2026 · 6 min read
What Bait to Use for River Fishing: A Beginner’s Guide
Not sure what bait to use for river fishing? This beginner’s guide covers maggots, sweetcorn, bread, worms, pellets and meat, plus which baits to use for popular UK river fish.
8 Aug 2026 · 3 min read