I'm 31 and picked up fishing late last year. My dad took me once as a kid but I don't remember much. I'll admit it's been a tough journey. Learned all the basics and terminology through books, magazines and online videos. Spincast vs baitcast. Rod, reel, line poundage and drag. Hook, weight and clasp sizes. Fresh water baits and lures vs salt water ones. Spent hours and hours just getting it all down. Felt like a college course in of itself.
Setting up the gear was only half the battle. Things got real tough out on the water. If you can't endure getting down and dirty, this hobby is not for you. Nearly cut every trip short whenever I'd get bird's-nest whiplash from poor casting technique. Or when my line got stuck under a branch or a rock just 5 minutes in. It was mentally taxing to the point I felt like it was a pointless addiction or something. In the morning I'd say "Maybe this time." Then after I'd say "Maybe next time."
After what felt like a year of the most challenging yet comical trial and error, I've decided to try again with a simple setup. Got a new rod (6'6" Shimano Stimula) and reel (Shimano FX2500HG) with some white bread as bait. Too my surprise, I caught an 8" Jaguar Chiclid by the river. It ain't much but it's something.
Posted by GigaBro_94