Fishing is a great activity. It can be fun, it can be relaxing and it can also be highly demanding. There are different kinds and levels of fishing requiring different levels of skill. Depending on who you ask, you may be told that successful fishing is a combination of skill and luck. How much of each is required is subject to personal perspective.
However, one thing that everyone will agree on is that regardless of your perspective and the type and scale of fishing you do or intend to do, one of the most important determinants of your success or failure is your choice of equipment – whether you use a fishing rod or a fishing net for example.
Regardless of your skill and how much luck you attract, without the right fishing equipment, all of that will be wasted. To this end, we want to briefly look at this issue of fishing equipment especially as it concerns the angler.
There are different types of fishing as we can see here and each one has its unique equipment. Angling is simply one of the most used methods. This is mainly because it can be done by anyone, whether for recreational, sporting or commercial purposes. This basically involves the use of fishing rods, lines, hooks and baits among a few other things which we shall look at here.
Fishing Tackle
Fishing tackle is a term used to describe the different fishing equipment used by anglers. A tackle therefore does not refer to any single equipment but to the lot as a unit, though many do not include fishing rods, reels and line in this group. Since we are focusing on angling in this article, we shall look at some of the most important gear to have as part of your fishing equipment.
Tackle Box
This is one of the most important piece of equipment you will require. This is what you will need to keep your different tackles nicely organized. Your choice of tackle box will be between a box or a bag. Which of the two you will pick will depend on which is more convenient for the location or type of fishing you want to do.
A box will offer more rigidity and probably more protection for your equipment, making it more ideal for extended fishing trips. A tackle bag on the other hand is softer and easier to carry, making it better for short fishing sessions or for when you will be doing a lot of walking with your gear.
Rod and Reel
This is another very important tool. This is the heart of the angling type of fishing. There are different types and qualities of rods and reels. Your choice should mostly depend on the type of fish you are going for.
If you are a beginner, go for medium rated rods. These are rated to handle 8lb to 20lb lines. For the reel, go for the easy to use spincast reel. As you get more adept at your fishing techniques, you can upgrade all of these.
For instance, experienced anglers targeting specific species, such as squid, may opt for specialized equipment like the Daiwa Emeraldas reel, which is specially designed for egi fishing. Such equipments generally have advanced drag systems and precision engineering, which ensures optimal performance, even in saltwater environments.
Line
First, you have to choose a line that is compatible with your rod and reel. Lines come in different levels of thickness for fishing different types of fish. If you are a beginner, you may want to start off with monofilament lines. These will work with your beginner rod and reel and also serve you well in most common fishing environments.
Hooks
Hooks may look like pretty straight forward tackles so you may be surprised to know that there are a lot of considerations that go into choosing one. Fishing hooks are differentiated by type, size and gauge.
Some Pro Fishing Gear Reviews list up to 21 different types of fishing hooks. Before choosing a hook, the main thing you will need to consider is the type of fish you will be going for. Bigger fishes will of course require bigger hooks.
Aside from this, you also need to consider the type of fishing you are doing. If you’re just fishing for fun and intend to “catch and release” whatever you get, then you need a hook that can be easily released from the fish without causing mortal injury. This is different from the type of hook you will use if you are catching the fish for food.
Floats
These help prevent your hook and bait from sinking to the bottom of the water. It also makes it easy to know when there’s a bite.
Weights
Your hook and line are pretty light and will not go far on their own when you cast the line. They will also not stay under water very easily which makes the weight important. It helps you properly cast your line and also keeps the hook under water (floats prevent them from sinking to the bottom).
Baits
These usually refer to the use of live creatures like warms (nightcrawlers) and small fishes. The bait you use should be determined by your target fish. Find out what bait is best for the kind of fish you are going for.
Lures
These refer to inanimate baits and have their specific uses. There are many different variations used for different kinds of fish, and so you will need to find out which type will work best for the kind of fish you want to catch. Whether you require the best shallow diving crankbaits or another kind of lure, choosing the right one can make all the difference in attracting your target species and improving your chances of a successful catch.
Simple Tools
Your tackle box should include simple tools like a line cutter and a needle plier. These two will most often than not come in very handy.
First Aid Kit
Well, a lot of times little accidents happen on fishing trips especially with loads of sharp hooks. Having a first aid kit is just a smart thing to do. It is also worth learning some basic first aid skills perhaps by attending a cpr training program in London, for example. This could teach you what to do in an emergency situation, helping you save a person’s life.
Conclusion
Your ability to understand exactly what each fishing scenario requires will improve as you continue to practice. The information we have shared above is not meant to make you an expert but to provide you with the knowledge you need to get started.
