An artist is only as good as his tools, and a fisherman is only as good as his equipment. If you want to be an expert angler who brings home many trophies and boasts amazing and big catches, you need to practice a lot and have all the right equipment. You may need FindyourFish’s expert advice as well, but in this article you’ll just be introduced to all the tools and equipment you need, which is a great start.
Note that the following list of equipment is in no particular order and you can simply add everything to your ‘must have’ list.
Table of Contents
Rods
Ah, the fishing rod. Can you even imagine fishing without a proper rod? Of course not! You need to find the best rod for your fishing style and needs, and this takes a bit of trial and error in most cases. You can choose between a spinning rod and a casting rod.
Reels
Reels are there to hold and wind your fishing line and you can choose between spinning reels, casting reels, and spin cast reels. All three of them have their own pros and cons so it’s really up to you which option you decide to use.
Bait
Bait, as you may already know, comes in many forms and can be made from a wide variety of materials like wood, plastic, metal, and elastomer polymer. The bait, or lure, that you use depends on the kind of fish you want to catch, so you’ll have to research fish and their respective lures before buying anything.
Hooks
Fishing hooks are essential and the part that fish latch onto before you reel them in. Every hook has a specific purpose, and you get them in different sizes too. Big hooks are for bigger fish, and small hooks can be swallowed whole, so be careful when choosing hooks.
Fishing Weights (or Sinkers)
You need sinkers to bring your bait down to the deep parts of the water where the fish are hanging out. There are various sizes and styles and you’ll have to choose yours based on the type of fish you want to catch.
Swivels
Fishing swivels are made up of two rings that are connected to a pivoting point. Their function is to prevent fishing lines from getting twisted and tangled when you’re casting and reeling.
Bobbers
Bobbers, or fishing floats, are there to give you better control over your bait placement. They serve as visual indicators letting you know when fish bite.
Pliers & Shears
These tools are used for removing hooks, bending hooks, cutting bait or fishing lines, and rod or reel adjustments.
Tackle Box
A tackle box is for storing all your lures, baits, hooks, and other small items that you need to take with you when you go fishing.
Tackle Bag
The tackle bag is a lightweight and portable alternative to the tackle box and they usually have more space too. However, they’re less organized so your equipment may get messy.
Fish Finder
Fish finders are electronic devices that help to find and catch fish. They use ultrasonic waves and can show you the depth and temperature of the water as well as fish hiding spots.
Cooler
Having a cooler with you is a good idea, especially if you plan to use live bait and need a place to store them. Keeping the fish you caught in ice in a cooler is also highly recommended.
Now that you know more about the fishing equipment you need, you can pack your tackle box or bag and plan your next fishing trip with more confidence.
