RedReeler

I'm finding this to be the case for sure! only caught a handful of small fish on lures so far but the temptation to keep buying lures is insane

I'm finding this to be the case for sure! only caught a handful of small fish on lures so far but the temptation to keep buying lures is insane

I think fishing is one of those activities where you can spend as much or as little as you want. Rods, reels, tackle, line etc all vary widely in price (and quality). But you don't need to spend a fortune getting started and figuring out if its something you're passionate about
 
- fishing rod and equipment: For your first time, I'd recommend getting something like a $50 spin combo (rod & reel) in the 2-4kg, 6-7ft range, spooled up with some mono. Learning knots is a valuable skill to tie your own rigs, (uni-knot and dropper loop are what I mostly use) however there's also plenty of pre-made rigs available at tackle shops. These are usually even labelled with what species they're suitable for. There are also "species packs" I've seen around that have all the tackle you need for that species like hooks, sinkers, swivels etc. 
- bait: Haven't bought bait for a while as I've been trying out lure fishing, but I think the common types (cockles, gents, squid) are about $10 a pack.
- licence: not needed in SA (other than Warren Reservoir)
 
- fishing club membership to learn more:  Haven't done much research into this, but I am a member of one that's only $15 a year. However, there's a LOT of info on these forums and they're free . I haven't been around long but everyone is very friendly and helpful.
 
- more? Time. Probably the biggest expense. It takes time developing your skills and knowledge. Even then, sometimes you'll catch nothing.

Costs I foresee are:
 
- fishing rod and equipment: ?
- bait: ?
- licence: ?
- fishing club membership to learn more: $100
- petrol to reach water and back: about $10 return from eastern suburbs
- more?
 
I thought it would be a way to save money by not buying fish from the supermarket but when I imagine the startup and running cost I'm having doubts.

there will be the initial outlay costs for sure, if you are purely after a feed and saving money then unless you've got a honey hole that produces fish everytime you wont necessarily save money on your fishing trips, however you will get far more enjoyment trying to catch a feed than going to a shop .
Kmart have some pretty decent 7 ft graphite fishing rods for 30 bucks, get a shimano IX 2500 reel from anaconda 25 bucks (these things are low range reels but will last you ages and are the same reels used on the tackle rat combos that Paul Worstling has used to land swordfish, I had one for 15 years +).
you'll need some line. cheapest way is to run mono and that wont cost much but if you want to get braid then get some fireline for 25 ish and then some mono or flouro for leader. Some hooks and sinkers and the likes you could prob get enough to see you through the intro stage for about another 20 bucks.  then there is bait unless you solely use plastics and lures and petrol on top.
 
In my opinion that is as cheap as you can do it buying stuff new. If you can find second hand it might get you fishing for a little cheaper.

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

So,

I get home from work with some holidays booked and keen as to get away for some time to unwind with the only problem being where to go, tossed around hooking up the boat for a river trip but when in I walked in to the shed and seen the surf rods that haven't had a run in close on 8 months my mind was made up a over nighter to Goolwa .


Thursday morning with last few items throwen in I hit the road at 6.30am. Pulling in to the beach car park around 8.00 am, I set about dropping my tyre pressures via the strawn's. It really drives me nuts seeing 4wd still running road pressures chewing up the beach for no reason. Anyway after a easy drive to the mouth, I spent some time watching the dredge working and at the unbelievable numbers of seals around . I picked out a nice little hole set up camp and had the rods in by 10
 
With the 1st rod loaded with a st fillet

 
2nd rod with a pilly and a popper

 
The first bite came around 1pm and  soon had a beautiful salmon on the beach ,bled and in the esky .

 
A long wait till the next bite around 5.30 and was surprised to have caught my 1st salmon on a popper

 
After missing a huge hit on a whole squid head, the cold and poor footy game I decided to  pack it in around 9.30pm and climbed in the swag.
 
Friday morning rolled around still bloodly cold but great conditions I had the rods back in by 6.30am. I fished hard again all day changing bait every 20mins till the next bite around 1pm again, this fish didn't fight very well the reason eviedent with a trace and hook coming out through the gills. I don't know how long fishing line needs to be in the water for the growth on the line to get to that stage but it couldn't have been pleasent


 
Come 3pm and I packed up for the drive home , with 20 hrs of fishing for 3 fish not the best, it was great to get away and enjoy some great weather and camping.
 
A quick pic of tea, fresh salmon patties yum yum

Tried a few land based sessions recently and barely a thing. finally hooked something Saturday arvo after a day of not even a nibble... and it jumped off just as I got it close... Hard not to get discouraged as (relatively) a newbie. At least I'm getting plenty of casting practice and am learning more about working lures as i study how my rod actions translate into the lure's movements.

Good advice but don't forget Raff is probably only 14 or 15 years old, so some of those links may be information overload!

The DynaBait ones? If so all tackle stores should have them. I brought some a couple of years ago and there still in my tackle bag... they look pretty average, but apparently they work....