Basic Fishing Tackle
If you've decided to take up
fishing as a hobby or sport and get out into the fresh
air and sunshine, you've made a good choice. Fishing can
be very relaxing. It gets you away from the hustle,
bustle and stress of daily life and makes you one with
nature. Like all other hobbies, sports and activities,
there are a few basic things that you will need.
Fishing tackle is equipment you use to get live or
artificial bait into the water, dangling in front of the
fish. It's not necessary to have a lot of tackle if you
are just taking up the sport of fishing, but you do need
basic and proper tackle. If you are a beginner, it's
best to keep tackle to a minimum until you hone your
skills. Then, and only then is the time to try more
advanced tackle.
Rod and Reel
A rod and reel can be purchased
at your local fishing store. It's best to buy a
lightweight rod because they make it easier for you to
tell when you have a bite. Spinner reels are best for
beginners. Often, you can purchase a rod and reel as one
unit. If you don't want to buy a rod and reel until
you've tried the sport, borrow one from a family member
or friend. An adult fishing rod should be approximately
6 feet long. A rod for a child will be between 4 and 5
feet long.
Fishing Line
Fishing line, also called
filament, comes in a wide range of sizes or strengths,
which are called pound-test. The larger the pound-test,
the stronger the fishing line. For instance, eight
pound-test is not as strong as ten pound-test. The trick
here is to match your line's pound-test to your rod and
reel, the bait you plan to use and the species of fish
that you're hoping to catch. Small, lightweight rods
that use spincasting or spinning reels will use a line
that is up to six pound-test. If you have a large
spinning reel, be sure to use a strong pound-test line.
Bait casting reels use a heavier line that can run
anywhere from six to thirty pound-test. However, eight
to sixteen pound-test is the most popular size of
fishing line. Keep in mind that if your line is too
heavy, you won't get as many bites or strikes because
the fish can see the line. If you're a beginner or if
you're using line for kids' rods, eight pound-test is
recommended.
Fishing Net
A fishing net isn't an absolute
necessity but they do come in handy when you're landing
a fish. They're also useful for keeping kids busy when
they tire of fishing. They can catch frogs, minnows and
tadpoles and discover a whole new world.
Bait
There are several different kinds
of bait, both live and artificial. Night crawlers, also
known as earthworms, are great for beginners. Instead of
buying a dozen, take a flashlight out into the yard
after dark when there's dew on the grass and pick your
own, or dig them out of your compost heap. Place them in
a plastic container that contains a bit of soil and
store them in the refrigerator over night. Be sure to
punch holes in the lid of the container and make sure
the top is secure. Other types of baits include
mealworms, kernel corn, grubs and bread balls.
Bobbers
Bobbers are floats that you
attach to your fishing line to dangle the bait in front
of the fish. They also give extra weight when casting.
The bobber sits on the water surface and when it dips
into the water, you know you have a bite. Small is
better. Use a bobber that has just enough weight to keep
your bait from dragging it under the water. The most
sensitive bobbers are the pencil style. Round bobbers
are less sensitive and therefore it's easier for you to
tell if you have a bite using a pencil bobber. However,
round bobbers are the easiest to cast. Slip bobbers can
be adjusted quickly and easily to allow you to fish at
different depths and they're easy to cast. They come in
both pencil and round styles and are perfect for
beginners and children.
Hooks
Fish hooks come in a wide variety
of sizes and styles. If you are planning to use live
bait, it's best to buy a variety pack that includes
hooks in sizes that range from No. 6 to No. 10. If you
are fishing for bullhead or catfish, you will need
larger hooks. If you intent to catch and release, fish
hook barbs can be flattened. This gives you more of a
challenge and inflicts less pain and injury on the fish.
Flattening barbs reduces the amount of fish that die
because of wounds or because they swallowed the hook. A
good rule of thumb to keep this from happening is to use
hooks that are compatible with the size of the fish's
mouth that you are hoping to catch. If the hook is too
small, it is easily swallowed and if it's too large the
fish won't take the bait.
Sinkers
Sinkers, or weights as they're
sometimes called, come in a variety of sizes and are
used to keep your line from floating on the water
surface. Split shot sinkers range in size from minute to
about the size of the end of a lead pencil, and are the
smallest type of weights. Sinkers range from split shot
to weights of a pound or more. The most popular and
frequently used sinkers are split shot and they are the
best weights for beginners and children. When you
purchase sinkers be sure they are lead free in order to
protect the environment and wildlife species.
Leaders
Fishing leaders are fine pieces
of metal with an eye on one end and a small easy to use
pin catch on the other. You open this pin to slip a hook
or lure onto it. The fishing line is threaded through
the eye and knotted. Leaders aren't necessary for
beginners or children but are recommended for ease of
changing hooks and lures. Leaders are also used when
fishing for game fish such as northern pike, muskellunge
and walleye. The metal leaders stop these toothy fish
from biting through your line.
Swivels
Instead of attaching leaders,
hooks and lures to the fishing line, many anglers use a
small device called a snap swivel. There is an eye on
one end and a pin clip on the other. The fishing line is
threaded through the eye and fastened securely with a
fishing knot. The pin clip opens much the same as a
safety pin and the hook, lure or leader is slipped onto
it and the clip pin is closed. Snap swivels protect your
line from tangling as your bait moves and spins through
the water. Snap swivels allow you to change bait or to
change leaders quickly without cutting and re-tying your
fishing line.
Fishing Knife
A fishing knife comes in handy if
you have to cut snagged or tangled line. They are also
used for scaling and cleaning fish. If kids are fishing,
give them nail clippers to cut their line.
Needle Nose Pliers
These assist in removing the hook
when the fish swallows it.
First Aid Kit
Pack some bandages, peroxide and
anti-bacterial ointment in your tackle box to treat cuts
and scrapes.
Tackle Box
A tackle box is used for
organizing and storing bobbers, hooks, line, lures,
leaders and other small items you will need to have a
successful fishing experience. Boxes that open from the
top and have two trays are great for beginners, children
and casual anglers. Tackle boxes often come with a small
amount of tackle such as hooks, bobbers, sinkers and
artificial worms.
Now that you have your rod, reel and tackle, you are
ready to head out to the old fishing hole. Find a nice
shady spot on the bank of a creek, pond or stream or on
the side of a lake and relax while you wait for that
nibble or strike.
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