How do I assemble a rod?

[OneOfAll]

I have a rod set up, but how do I equip it?

[Julian]

Short version
Rod - Reel - Line - Leader (optional for Spinning, Casting or Match/Telescopic (float) setups) - float, sinker, feeder cage or lure - hook - bait

Long version
Assembling a setup is best done from home. When first starting out there are a number of items you'll need to buy so you can carry more equipment like a Tackle box, a Rod case and a Waist coat. Select the Home Storage tab and then the little green man icon (near top left) then select the Packing boxes icon (about 3rd from the bottom of the icons running downwards close to the mid centre of the screen), double click (or select and drag the items over to the highlighted area) on the equipment you want to use. Once you fitted a rod case there should now be numbers (1 2) next to the little green man, the colour of the number indicates the setup status (white = empty, red = not ready (missing items) or green = ready).

Select the rod slot you want to setup (1), select the Fishing rod icon (top mid screen) and drag over the rod you want to use (take note of things like the Line weight, Lure weight or the Casting weight) now find a reel as close to the rods Line weight higher value as you can, drag that reel to the highlighted area on the rod. Now select the Spool of fishing line icon (second from top, mid screen) and find (or buy from the Shop) some line that is as close as you can get to the reels Max drag value, drag it over to highlighted area, a prompt will appear - Adjust the line length, make sure the slider (scissors) is all the way to the right before selecting the Cut button.

Now it will depend on what type of rod you are using as to what you add next, (Note : all rods can use a spinning reel except for the Casting rods which can only use Casting reels)
Spinning rod - spinning reel - line - (optional) leader - lure
Float rod - spinning reel - line - float - (optional) leader - hook - bait
Feeder rod - spinning reel - line - leader - feeder cage or sinker - hook - bait
Casting rod - casting reel - line - (optional) leader - lure

further tackle setups become available at higher levels
Bottom rod - same as Feeder rod setup
Carp rod - spinning reel - line - feeder cage, method, pva bag or sinker - carp leader - carp hook - bait (boilies, peas or corn)
Spod rod - spinning reel - line - spod

Start off with your drag set low, if your line breaks it's too high.
Get the biggest Keepnet or Stringer available to you as soon as you can, more fish = more money (you can not release a fish kept on a Stringer).
Check the Weather Forecast (on the Map tab) to see the (expected) fish activity, fish when the wave graph is in the high to medium areas.
Use the time forward (T) function to fish in the higher fish activity times or to forward to the next day, after 5:00 am your fish will be sold and a new day will begin.
Save yourself some hassle and always get an Advanced licence.

You could write a book trying to explain all of this, but it might be a little easier to just see what works with the lighter setups and going from there.

[Bridges]

Wow, not even a "thank you"! That was a lot of help, thank you!