Fishing Tackle - What Exactly Do You Need?

Going fishing? You will need some fishing tackle!

Whilst your fishing rod and reel are essential items of tackle, fishing tackle also refers to all those other items of equipment that you will need to support your rod and reel setup and the type of fishing you will be doing. Assuming that you have an appropriate rod and reel and that your reel spools, including spares, are already filled with line, then you're going to need some or all of the following fishing tackle:

Sinkers - needed to provide a weight to your line when casting bait. Various types include split shot, ball, bean, barrel, snapper, pyramid and egg sinkers. What you need will depend on your fishing application. Line either runs through the sinker or the line is tied to the sinker. Split shot is an exception. It is pressed onto a line like putty. Split shot can be as small as 1/32 oz whilst sinkers used in deep oceanic water can weigh several pounds. Remember, fish as lightly as conditions will allow. Lead is the standard material used for sinkers, but note the move toward bismuth sinkers, which are more environmentally friendly and they weigh only 7% less than lead for the same volume. Note that lead is banned in some States and in some National parks.
Swivels - used to reduce line twist and to join your main line to your leader. They come in a number of styles and include barrel swivel, ball bearing swivel, snap swivel and three way swivel. A snap swivel can be used to connect your line directly to a lure. These enable very quick lure changes, although the bulk of the swivel can reduce lure movement to some degree. My preference is to use a blackened swivel, preferably a ball bearing swivel, as I don't want a fish to mistake the glint of a brass swivel as something worth chewing on. The ball bearing swivel is reliable under all fishing conditions, whilst I don't believe the same thing can be said for the brass barrel swivels.
Hooks - hard to catch that fish without a hook. Numerous styles available, but you need to have a range of sizes and styles available so that you can cater for every fishing opportunity. Don't forget jig heads if you use soft plastics.
Sharpening device - you need a device that will enable you to easily sharpen the hook on the end of your line. Re-sharpen your hook after every catch and check it regularly. You will miss hookups with blunt hooks. You also need something with which to sharpen your knife.
Knife - Good for bleeding a fish and ultimately for gutting or fileting a fish. Can also be used to scale a fish.
Pliers - Good for removing hooks from fish and for cutting monofilament. Lots of other non-specific uses.
Braid Scissors - You may find that your normal run of the mill pliers or scissors won't cut braid, at least not with a clean cut. Not a problem if you only use monofilament.
Fish Scaler - I scale my fish only if I intend to cook them whole. Even then I only use a knife. When I take fillets from a fish I invariably leave the scales on and then skin the fish with a knife. Salmon is probably the only exception to this rule, as the Salmon skin can be quite tasty.
Line - You will need to choose from monofilament, co-filament, braided or fused 'superlines' and fluorocarbon lines. All have their pros and cons. Nylon monofilament line is still the most popular line, but it stretches easily (often a good thing) and it has poor abrasion resistance, although this is not so bad in the premium quality lines. Co-filament lines are like the monofilament but somewhat tougher. Superlines are the toughest of all lines, have a very small diameter for a given breaking strain and they do not stretch. Don't forget to put monofilament beneath the superline on your spool to stop any slippage. Fluorocarbon lines are invisible in water, low stretch, have good abrasion resistance and are very popular in freshwater fishing. Note that one particular type of line will probably not be perfect for all your fishing applications.
Leader line - this is the link between your main line and your hook or lure. The leader line is normally of a greater strength than your main line. It is designed to take the knocks and abrasions from fish or snags and hence save your main line. I like to use a fluorocarbon leader unless I am fishing for pelagics. If you believe that you will require 15lb line to land your fish, then you could use a 15lb leader and drop your main line to 6 or 8lb. Check your leader line regularly, especially after a catch, both visually and also by running your finger along it, and if you see or feel any abrasions or nicks, change it.
Tackle Box - last but not least, you will need a good tackle box so that you can keep all of your tackle organized and within easy reach.
Landing Net or Lip Grip - Losing a prize fish at your feet is really excruciating. Save the pain by using either a landing net or a lip grip, the former being much easier to use unless your fish is exhausted and docile.
Fishing Basket - What will you do with the fish that you catch? You might need a fishing basket or shoulder bag, or you might prefer to simply throw your fish straight into a cooler.

Over time you'll see other items of tackle that you will consider necessary, but the foregoing is a good starting point. You will have spent a fair amount of money on buying a good fishing rod and reel. Make sure you complement these with good quality fishing tackle.

About this Author

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