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Fishing is a sport that requires you to be prepared. Sure, you can grab any sort of stick, attach a rope to it and TRY to catch something. But, in today’s wide world of products, you can do so much better and become that much more successful at fishing. There are several things that you’ll need and that’s what we will talk about here.

First, what is fishing tackle? This is the equipment you’ll need to get your bait out there. You don’t need to spend a fortune on it, but what you should do is get the right products for your needs instead.

The Rod And The Reel

The most fundamental product that you need is the rod and reel. For a beginner, go with a lightweight choice that has a spinner reel on it. You can even purchase them together. As for length, go for about six feet for the adults and four to five for your child.

Next on the list is fishing line. It is also called filament. You’ll need to know which weight to get. This is called the pound test. The larger the pound test number is, the stronger the line is. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you’ll need to choose the line that is about the weight of the fish. For a small, light rod, go with up to six pound test. If you are using a large sized spinning reel, go with a stronger line. For bait casting reels, go with six to thirty pound test. The most popular options are the eight to sixteen. Don’t always think that heavier is better though as many of the fish will be able to see the line and won’t go near it.

Also in your equipment, you’ll need a fishing net. This will help you to catch your bait and can help you bring the fish in.

Options In Bait

There are many options in bait that you’ll need in that tackle box. First, we’ll talk about which live choices you have. Go with earthworms to start. You can dig your own or get them from the bait shop. You can go with mealworms or grubs as well. Depending on the type of fish you are after, you are likely to have a type of bait to use to catch them. Ask your local anglers for information about which seem to work the best for your area.

There are several other products that you will find that you’ll need in the way of tackle. Here are some of them and what they are good for.

Bobbers. These are floats that you’ll attach to your line to dangle your bait in front of the fish. They give you some extra weight when casting. They will sit at the top of the water. Small is a better way to go and make sure it is just enough weight to keep the bait from dragging.

Hooks. You’ll need to choose the right size for the job at hand. When using live bait, buy sizes from six to ten. For bullhead or catfish, you’ll need larger hooks. For catch and release fishing, look for fish hook barbs that can be flattened. To choose look for the size that is about the right size for the mouth of the fish you are trying to catch. Too large and you won’t get a bite and too small will leave you with the hook in its belly.

Sinkers are next. These are weights that come in a wide assortment. They are used to keep your line from floating under the water. Split shot sinkers are tiny and they are by far the most popular. But, some weights can get up to a pound in weight. Make sure that they are lead free though when you purchase them.

Leaders. These are small metal pieces with an eye on one end and a pin catch on the other. The pin is used to slip a hook or lure onto it. You’ll then thread the line through the eye and knot it. They are helpful when it comes to changing hooks and lures. You may want to consider them when you are after muskellunge, walleye, or northern pike as they’ll keep the fish from biting through your line.

Swivels are used instead to attach hooks and lures without a leader. There is an eye on one end and a pin clip on the other. The same process is done as with a leader except that the pin clip opens much like a safety pin. They protect your line from tangling as your bait moves in the water.
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A Swordfish on deck
It’s all about fishing. The dark side gladiator of the ocean. The swordfish. Have you ever tried landing a big swordfish on deck? After a 5-6 hours fight with a 1000 pound swordfish that had no intention of giving up without a fight. This great fish is a legend living in its own time.

Killing a record fish.
How many of you would cut the line because you knew you had a large female breeder on the line of any fish? I guess you would cut the line because you would feel bad if you caught and killed it; even though you were allowed to catch it. How about a record swordfish weighing more than a 1000 pounds, and it was hanging at the end of your line. Would you kill it then? Even if it was a female breeder? Well some would and some wouldn’t. Myself, I couldn’t do it.

An old swordfish fisher ones told me, that the only difference between a commercial fisherman and a sport fisherman is that one of them takes pictures of his catch. I have come to realize that he was wrong and that some sport fisherman will kill for records, pictures and sponsors.

Fish with no table value
To kill any record fish that has no table value is just sinful in my book. We have caught so many bigger than hell Hammers on my boat and when we get them to the gunnels we hold them for awhile to stare at this amazing creature and then cut them loose. You feel a hell of a lot better watching it swim away, and when we get to the dock we can still tell everyone we caught a huge Hammerhead.

On the other hand I would definitely plant the pond in any big Swordfish, because there is a lot of meat there and they are a true trophy fish and a proud catch by anyone’s standards.

Guys fishing for the world record, they release most of all fish and only keep the one that counts. Their gear is such that they only target larger fish, practice catch and release, tagging fish, not catch and kill. These guys do less harm to the overall species I think. Read the rest of this entry »

Fishing rods are a classic tool for catching fish, dating back at least to ancient Egypt, and possibly even further back than that. They can be easily made from all sorts of different things, ranging from plants like bamboo to modern man-made materials.

While fishing rods were once essential for catching food, today nets tend to be used instead, with fishing rods being used more often as a hobby or for sports fishing. Although the specifics are different depending on the kind of fish that is being fished for, the general idea is to put some kind of bait on the end of the line, throw it into the water, and then use a wheel to pull the line up again once a fish has been hooked. More sophisticated lines can float in the water for hours on end, waiting for a fish to come by, without having to be thrown down and pulled up again.

A fishing rod has more parts than you would expect, including the rod itself (the ‘stick’ part), a grip (where you hold it), a line, guides (to hold the line in position), a wheel (to pull the line back in), and finally a hook (to hook the fish). When you add the bait to this, you can either use live bait (for example, worms), or artificial bait, which is designed to resemble a small fish that the other fish will want to eat. Read the rest of this entry »

Different fishing reels are needed for different waters and fishing styles.

Fishing reels are the most essential component of fishing gear. However, there are so many manufacturers and so many different types of fishing reels, how do you know which one is best for you. The three main kinds reels – spin casting, bait casting, and spinning all have their pros and cons. The type you need depends on what kind of fishing you do.

Using a fishing reel for the first time can be frustrating, especially if they style of reel is new to you. Beginners often start with a closed-face reel which helps keep the line from tangling. The most popular style is probably the spin-cast or spinning reel. With these the reel hangs under the rod and the line is held on an open spool. The line is controlled by a bail for casting and tension knobs for controlling the fight. Casting takes a little practice, but keeping your forefinger pressing the line against the handle before casting will prevent the line from coming off the spool.
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