Help a Beginner

So I went fishing a few times as a kid. I seriously know nothing about fishing now. Today I took a rod to Mesquite City Lake and tried my hand at fishing for catfish. I had picked up chicken liver, so I put some on a treble hook and cast out. In my mind, I was expecting a nice relaxing sit while listening to the Cowboy game. Instead, I got hooked up on debris underwater on my first cast. I tried so hard to get unstuck but to no avail. I cut my line and took my rod (and what was left of my pride) back home since I didn’t have any more hooks.

Now I’m sitting on the couch looking at some kits for catfishing online. Do any of you experienced fisherman have any recommendations for what I should buy? I don’t need anything advanced. Just some basic required gear.

First thing to get would be some more hooks?

Seriously though, if you just want some relaxing fishing get some small hooks and bobbers and some worms and go for sunfish. Use slip bobbers in deeper water. You can actually fish the bottom with a slip bobber set just right and it’ll help keep you from losing your stuff.



and good luck!

If your fishing, you will get hung up, just part of the game. Try some different spots and see if you get snagged. Stock your tackle box and learn to tie knots quickly. Good luck!!!

Any specific knots I should look up?

Here is about every fishing knot you'll ever need:
https://www.netknots.com/index.php

Best of luck to you. Just get out there on the water and they will come.

I like the Palomar knot. It's straight forward, don't have to count anything and works all the time as far as I can tell. It's a terminal knot though. Meaning it's tied to the last thing on your line.
Bottom line. If you don't know how to tie a knot, then ties lots.