Beginner / Freshwater / Saltwater / Extra

NYC Freshwater

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The least expensive option will be freshwater. If it is your first time fishing I would suggest using earthworms to target Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch and Crappie in the public parks. A hook, float and earthworm is all you need. Gulp! Minnows and Crappie/Panfish Magnets work great too if you cannot purchase earthworms or dig them. 

Here are some easy to use lures, floats, line/leader and kits for panfish: 

Trout Magnet E-Z Panfish Floats - Link

Gulp! Minnow 1" Emerald Shiner - Link

1/64oz Trout Magnet Jig - Link

Trout Magnet Panfish Magnet Kit - Link

Crappie Magnet Kit - Link

Trout Magnet Kit - Link

Bobby Garland Crappie Bait 2" Chartreuse Silver - Link

Pair Bobby Garland Crappie Bait With:

Eurotackle Soft-Lock Tungsten Jig Head 1/32oz size #4 Chartreuse - Link

I like to use 8lb braid and a 6lb fluorocarbon leader:

8lb Power Pro Super Slick V2 Braid Moss Green - Link

6lb Daiwa J-Fluoro Fluorocarbon - Link

Rig the float roughly 12" above the jig, depending on how shallow or deep you are fishing. 

Once you learn to catch panfish in the parks I would start targeting Largemouth bass with lures. A great largemouth lure is a Keitech 2" Swing Impact in Green Pumpkin color rigged to a 1/16oz jig head. Or a Gary Yamamoto Senko worm in darker colors like black, black/blue & green pumpkin. Texas rig the Senko weedless with a 3/0 EWG hook to avoid snags. These lures will work but experiment to increase the fun! 

Keitech Swing Impact 2" Green Pumpkin - Link

Keitech Super Round Tungsten Jig head 1/16oz - Link

Gary Yamamoto 4" Senko Green Pumpkin Black Flake - Link

Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook - Link

When you start getting a feel for setting the hook and successfully catching largemouth, it will be a natural transition to saltwater. NYC freshwater is barbless hooks so you will build a great skill set for fighting and landing fish. 

Or start with saltwater if you do not have much interest in freshwater species.