English
Fishing is a popular pastime as well as a fun, enjoyable activity for many people. If you’re new to fishing but have an interest in learning, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. After some research and planning, the next step is to go out there and actually purchase the necessary equipment at fishing shops.
How can you be sure that you’re buying the right fishing gear, one that fits best for your needs? Here are some important things to note for a few of the most common fishing gear items.
- Fishing Rods
Note that fishing rods are not one-size-fits-all. Rods are classified according to their action (how much they bend when tension is applied), strength, taper (the ratio of the thickness at the tip to the thickness of the base), and responsiveness (the energy stored in the rod when it’s bent). The type of rod you choose is determined by what conditions you plan to fish in as well as the type of fish you aim to catch.
- Reels and Line
These go hand-in-hand with the fishing rod you choose. The reel, of course, attaches to the rod and allows you to retract the line to pull in a fish or recast the line. The type of fishing line you go with should be compatible with the rod you have; heavy line can snap a light fishing rod, and light line can be snapped by a heavier fishing rod.
Fishing line is often classified according to visibility, elasticity, and “castability.” It’s also a good idea to pick up multiple spools of line, since it’s common for line to break, get tangled up, or otherwise get ruined somehow.
- Fish Hooks
A significant piece of the puzzle, the fish hook is what actually gets the fish from the water and into your hands. A good fish hook will pierce and embed itself in the mouth of the fish securely and allow you to reel it in. Once again, the shape, size, and design of the hooks you choose depends on what kind of fish you’re hoping to catch.
- Bait and Lures
Each has its pros and cons. There are almost endless options when it comes to choosing bait or lures. Bait can range from pieces of food like bread or chicken, to small critters like worms or fish eggs, or larger organisms like crawfish or small fish. If you use live bait, you should also bring bait buckets and coolers. Lures, on the other hand, are more elaborate setups that, while not alive, are designed to mimic certain prey in order to attract a particular type of fish.
Picking up suitable gear at fishing shops can seem like a daunting prospect at first, but with a few fundamental guidelines in mind, you can get yourself off to a good start. As important as it is to pick up quality equipment, it’s just as important for you to consider your specific fishing needs so you can pick up fishing gear that’s right for you.