New To Fishing? Discover The Best Coarse Fishing Kits For First-Time Anglers

If you want to get into coarse fishing, browsing around a tackle shop or an online store for the fishing tackle you need can be extremely daunting. There are thousands of rods, reels, lines and more to choose from, so how do you get started?

The answer is that it is extremely difficult to pick the right equipment that will have you fishing successfully for a while. Buying a fishing tackle starter kit is the answer.

In this article, I will cover the following:

• Best coarse fishing starter kit for beginners with everything you need to start fishing.
• Choose the best coarse fishing individual components and create your own starter set. 

Best Coarse Fishing Starter Kits For Beginners

For beginners, buying a starter set is the best way to start fishing. These kits come with everything you need to go fishing for the first time, such as a rod, a reel, a landing net, a tackle box, and terminal tackle such as hooks, floats, weights, floats and line.

Whilst these are not perfect, they are a great, affordable way of starting fishing. If you are looking for a birthday fishing gift or a Christmas fishing present for kids these are a great way to start them off.

Roddarch Beginners Starter Coarse Float Fishing Kit Set – My Best Overall Pick!

This Roddarch beginner set has everything and more to get you started in coarse float fishing! It has a comprehensive fishing kit and a quality carbon match rod!

What makes this set really great for the beginner is that it comes with a Roddarch seat & tackle box, allowing you to store all your fishing tackle and accessories but also a seat to fish from.

This is a nice starter kit which will last longer than most others on the market.

Pros 

• Good quality 
• Matching rod and reel 
• It has far more components than any other starter kit
• It will last longer than most other fishing sets
• Carbon rod

Cons

• It is more expensive than some other fishing sets

Rod Details:

• Hunter Pro 10ft 3pc carbon construction rod
• Ceramic-lined stainless steel eyes
• Closed-cell neoprene handle
• Brushed aluminium quick-screw adjustable reel seat mount
• Carbon black colour
• Lightweight & responsive match/float fishing rod

Reel Details:

• Hunter Pro HP40R Reel
• Complete with a 6lb line
• Ultra smooth bearing system
• Microvariable rear drag
• Precision-engineered 5.1:1 gearing
• Left or right-hand folding handle (interchangeable)
• Silent anti-reverse
• Precision ‘Anti-Twist’ line roller
• Supplied in retail packaging

Other Tackle Specs

• Roddarch© ‘Tough Box’ seat & tackle box
• Roddarch© 2 tray tackle box
• Rod rest & bank stick
• 2m Keep net & bank stick
• 78″ Telescopic micromesh landing net
• 1.5ltr bait box
• 5pc Waggler float set
• 6-way split shot weight selection
• 2 x ZEN hook packets (20pc total)
• Hunter Pro match bait catapult 
• Disgorger 

Matt Hayes Adventure Complete Fishing Set 12ft Match Rod / Reel – My Best Value For Money Pick! 

This Float Fishing Starter Set from Fladen and Matt Hayes is an ideal coarse fishing starter set. It has everything you need to catch fish on the lake, river, or canal. Its quality level is better than any other starter kit in 2024.

This is not only for kids but is an ideal kit for adults wanting to begin fishing. The kit has all the tackle required to fish, including a fibreglass 12ft/3.6m 3-piece match fishing rod and matching reel, and it even includes some artificial corn and maggots!

For those with limited prior fishing knowledge, the set comes with a fishing guidebook full of tips. The only item which is not included is a fishing chair, which needs to be purchased separatly.

Pros 

• Good quality 
• Matching rod and reel 
• Has everything you need at a great value
• It will last longer than most other fishing sets
• Super affordable 

Cons

• Does not come with a fishing seat
• The fishing line (15m) is not long enough to fill the spool and can only be used as a leader

Specs

A 3pc, 3.6m match fibreglass rod

A fixed spool spinning reel with a gear ratio of 5.2:1

Landing net

2 V-shaped rod holders

Loaded float tube with float assortment

Artificial corn bait and maggots

15m/0.12mm spool of line

Disgorger

Rubber stoppers

Float ring assortment

Barbless hooks to nylon size 14 and size 16 

Fishing handbook and guide

Matt Hayes Adventure Complete Fishing Set – 2 x Rod (Carp & Float) & 1 x Pole Option

Another option for the Matt Hayes kit is with the 2 x Carp and float rod set up, including a 5-metre long pole. This set is more comprehensive than the standard option, but if you are just starting out fishing, it may have too many options at the beginning of your fishing journey. 

If you are looking to buy a standalone fishing pole, always consider what to look for when selecting the right pole for your fishing style.

Matt Hayes Adventure – Complete Feeder Ledger Fishing Set 

This set is unique to ledger fishing and not float fishing. The main difference is the rod and reel selection, which is a little more powerful and has some different terminal tackle and other gear.

If you plan to go ledger fishing rather than float fishing, this Matt Hayes feeder ledger starting set has all the basics to get you started.

The selection of feeders is perfect for various fishing baits: a block end for maggots, an open-end feeder for groundbait, a cage feeder for a mix of baits and mashed bread, and also a method feeder with mould for shaping your soaked pellets or groundbait.

The rod has three interchangeable top tips to help spot the bites when legering (fishing hard on the bottom using a lead weight). These tips allow you to change the sensitivity of the rod when fishing in lakes, slow-moving rivers, or canals.

Pros 

• Reasonable quality 
• Matching rod and reel 
• Multiple rod tip selection
• It will last longer than most other fishing sets
• Reasonable price 

Cons

• It does not come with a fishing seat or tackle box
• The fishing line is not particularly good quality

Specs

3 section 3m rod rated 4 – 8lbs, 

Rear drag reel with 6lb line, 

Block End Feeder, Open End Feeder, Wire Cage Feeder, Method Feeder with mould

Hooks to nylon in sizes 10, 12 & 14

Beads and swivels

Telescopic bank stick and rod rest head

Groundbait mixing bowl

Matt Hayes’s useful guidebook of fishing

Lastly, if you are looking at starting fly fishing, check out my in-depth article on my choices for the best fly fishing budget and premium choice options.

Also, take a look at my review of the awesome Ventures fly co fly fishing starter packs, which are a quality brand if you are looking for entry-level start into fly fishing.

Gear Needed To Make Your Own Best Coarse Fishing Starter Kit 

Buying a fishing starter kit in a combo with all the rods, reels, nets, etc, can be an easy way to start fishing. However, very few of these made-up sets are of good quality, and some won’t last you long. 

Whilst some combos may have a reasonable rod, the matching reel is almost unusable. Likewise, some come with a good reel and a poor-quality rod. Lastly, you will still need to buy some items which are not included. Even if the sets provide these accessories, they are usually of poor quality.

So let us review the best options for making up your own set, which provides quality and affordability for an angler to enjoy and use easily, and they will last a lot longer than most fishing starter sets.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spin Rod 

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spin Rod is a great coarse fishing rod to start out your fishing career. Almost every coarse fisherman on the planet has owned one of these rods, which is probably still in their tackle cupboard. 

These fishing rods are made with a composite of graphite and fibreglass, making them both light and almost unbreakable. They have incredible lifting power, and you can land most fish with them with ease. 

Being light, they are also great for casting, and you can get some great distances and excellent accuracy with them, too. It has a lovely cork handle, durable guides and an excellent reel seat. 

Another thing I love about this rod is its versatility, as you can use it for float fishing, lure fishing, and even saltwater fishing. The one downside is that it comes in two pieces, making travelling with it a little difficult due to the broken down length. A genuine all-rounder!

Pros 

• It will last for many years 
• Lightweight and easy to cast with 
• Great length for long casts
• Casts well and accurately 
• Clear tip for great bite detection
• It has a durable reel seat and a lovely cork handle 
• Super affordable 

Cons

• The two-piece design makes it harder to travel with due to the extra length

Specs

Length: 10 feet 

Pieces: 2

Material: Composites 

Weight: 25-60 grams 

Shimano Baitrunner ST-6000 RB Reel 

The Shimano Baitrunner ST-6000 RB Reel is an awesome reel for a beginner to start off with, as it is simple to use, and you can grow with it. Shimano also makes excellent reels that you can rely on, so you can be sure that this reel will last. 

Built from graphite, it can handle corrosion and is light, too, making long casting days about as easy as possible. This reel works super smoothly with a great pick-up and smooth drag, and you can crank up the drag pressure when needed. 

It also comes with a baitrunner function, which lets you put the reel in a “free spool” to allow fish like carp to take your bait. Once they have your bait, you can engage the drag at the flick of a switch and hook up. This is a super useful tool to have on a reel. 

To top it off, this reel is also extremely affordable and will last, making it ideal for a beginner. 

Pros 

• Durable design that lasts 
• Will handle fresh and saltwater 
• Great retrieve rate
• Lightweight and easy to use 
• Baitrunner function lets you free spool 
• Solid line capacity 
• Great maximum drag 
• Super smooth performance 
• Excellent value 

Cons

• None I can find 

Specs

Weight: 550g

Material: Graphite 

Gear Ratio: 4.6:1

Retrieve side: Both 

Max Drag: 6 kg 

Retrieve Rate: 87cm.

Line Capacity: 0.30mm 270m 0.35mm-240m 0.40mm-140m.

If you want to learn more about Shimano fishing reels, please check out my in-depth Shimano baitrunner article, which reviews four popular Shimano offerings.

Daiwa Sensor Line 

You might not think choosing the right line matters, but with the wrong line, you’ll spend most of your fishing time undoing tangles instead of fishing. The Daiwa Sensor Line is a great choice to fill up your spinning reel with, and it’s high quality and affordable. 

This supple monofilament line is easy to tie knots with, and it’s super strong, too, so you can be sure it won’t snap. Once a knot is tied, it seats well and stays strong too. 

Another great thing about this is the low memory of the line, which means it doesn’t remember the shapes it has been held in. This means your line won’t come off your reel in coils, so you can avoid getting tangles. 

There is a very affordable line that casts well, and it has low visibility in the water, but it is not invisible to fish like fluorocarbon, which is a lot more expensive. 

If you are going to invest in fishing gear, never buy a poor-quality line. The line is inexpensive and can last one year, so always buy the best you can.

Pros 

• Low memory for fewer tangles 
• Great quality with a lot of strength 
• Low visibility in the water 
• Supple and easy to tie knots with 
• Provides excellent knot strength 
• Very inexpensive 
• Casts well 

Cons

• Not invisible underwater like fluorocarbon

Specs

Material: Nylon Monofilament 

Meters: 180 to 3000 

Diameter: 0.33 mm (12 lbs)

Breaking strains: 4 to 60 lbs 

Preston Innovations Dura Wag Adjustable Float 

Once you have the rod, reel, and line, the next thing you will need is a float or bobber. The Preston Innovations Dura Wag Adjustable Float is a reliable float that is sensitive to bites, so you will never miss even the subtle ones. 

The blue colour and orange top make it easy to see, while the carbon stem ensures the float stays stale even when the water is choppy on the top. It’s also an easy float to use and is durably built. Wagglers can be used for all types of lake, river, and canal fishing, making it a great float for the beginner to use.

You will want to buy a few of these floats in different sizes so you can use the right one for your chosen baits. 

Pros 

• Affordable
• Versatile 
• Good range of sizes 
• Brightly coloured for bite indication 
• Stable in choppy conditions 
• Durable and lasts 

Cons

• You will need to buy 2 or 3 to suit multiple conditions

Specs

Weights: 2-5 grams 

Colour: Blue and Orange 

Material: Plastic & Carbon 

Kamasan B560 Barbed Spade Hooks 

Once you have added the float, next comes the hook, and the best hook to use, in my eyes, is the Kamasan B560 Barbed Spade Hooks. 

These hooks have been designed for versatility as they come with a large gape that allows you to use them with multiple different baits, from worms to sweetcorn, maggots and more. 

They also have a unique shape, providing a much better hook-up rate than others. Very few fish are lost when using these hooks. Each hook is also built strong, so you don’t have to worry about them bending, breaking, or losing any fish. 

The points on these hooks are also chemically sharpened to ensure that you can hook up easily if a fish does eat your bait. You’ll also find these in various sizes to match whatever species you want to focus on. 

If you are unsure whether to buy barbed or barbless hooks, read my full review on both styles and which one is better.

Pros 

• Strong hooks that don’t bend 
• Super sharp tips for a quick hook-up 
• Excellent gape for lots of baits 
• The great shape ensures more fish are hooked 
• Amazing price for the quality 
• It comes in a solid range of sizes 

Cons

• None I can find 

Specs

Sizes: 10 – 22 

No Hooks: 10 

Material: Carbon 

Dinsmore Shot Dispenser 

Now that you have your hook tied under your float, it is time to add some split shot to your line under the float so it stands up at the correct level in the water and allows your bait to sink, too. 

The Dinsmore Shot Dispenser has a few options with up to seven different size shots. I recommend the dispenser with five different sizes of split shot, and between all of these, you will be able to get all your floats to position perfectly in the water. 

The shot is non-toxic to comply with regulations, and the dispensers come in a round or square shape, depending on the sizes you wish to buy.

If you want to learn and understand more about the concerns of weights made from lead, please check out my article on lead fishing weights, which covers all the regulations.

Pros 

• Good value 
• Excellent range of weights
• Simple and easy to access 
• Non-toxic and simple to add to your line 
• Square shape dispenser for better fishing success 

Cons

• None I can find 

Specs

Shot Included: AAA, BB, No 1, No 4, No 6

Type: Non-toxic (Lead-free)

Shape: Square 

Leeda Landing Net Handle & Shakespeare Landing Net 

Now that you have everything you need to catch fish, you will need a net to land them in. When you buy a landing net, you have to buy both the handle and the net separately, so we will run through them one by one. 

The Shakespeare Agility Landing Net is also durable, affordable, and safe for fish. It’s made from a lightweight aluminium frame that lasts and won’t rust, and the net is made from a rubberized mesh. The mesh ensures fish aren’t harmed, and it is durable too. 

The Leeda Extending Net Handle is also made from aluminium, making it super lightweight, durable and rust-resistant. 

It is an extendable landing net handle that stretches out to two meters so that you can easily scoop up any fish that comes close to the bank. 

Together, the net and handle give you an affordable landing net combination that lasts. Plus, it is excellent for landing good-sized fish, too. 

Pros 

• Lightweight handle for easy landings 
• Handle extends to 2 meters for a long reach 
• The aluminium build is durable and lasts 
• A rubber mesh net doesn’t harm fish 
• Deeply shaped landing net for holding big fish 
• The aluminium frame keeps the weight down and durability up 

Cons

• None I can find 

Specs

Handle Type: Extending 

Handle Length: 2 meters 

Handle Material: Aluminum 

Net Frame: Aluminum 

Net Material: Rubberized mesh 

What Fishing Gear Do I Need?

When going fishing, you don’t need every piece of tackle that is available on the market. The essential gear is as follows:

• Rod
• Reel
• Line
• Tackle bag
• Hooks
• Some terminal Tackle (such as weights, floats, and lures)
• Landing Net
• And, of course, BAIT!

The best way to identify what gear you need when fishing is to fish a few times, understand what else you need based on that experience, look at what others are using, and ask them for advice. The more fishing you do, the more you will learn faster!

Winding Up 

Thanks very much for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful! If you own no fishing gear and want a coarse fishing starter kit, the Roddarch Beginners Starter Coarse Float Fishing Kit Set is a great option for coarse fishing anywhere.

Make sure that you buy the necessary fishing license before you go. Check out my articles here on how to get your fishing license in the UK, Europe, and the United States (including how to get a fishing license at Walmart)