Fishing tackle

  There are so many different kinds of fishing tackle that it would be impossible to write about them all. Well, let me back up on that just a little. Chances are that if I did write about them all most people would not take the time to read it all the way through.

   Each kind of fish needs different tackle. Although they all need some kind of hook to catch them with and something to put on the hook to attract the fish. That is no all together true either. I have fished for sockeye salmon with just a red or black hook trolling behind a boat. When I heard that, I thought the guy was crazy but sure enough when my son and I got to the lake where they were running, we asked an older fisherman and he showed us exactly what he was catching the sockeye on and it was just a plain red or black hook.

   When you take you smaller children you almost always need to have bobbers, the store love it when we have kids, we use a lot of fishing tackle. Actually, I use them on some fish part of the time. If the fish are not on the bottom you will need something to hold you bait up and a bobber is the perfect thing. They work great unless the wind is blowing and then they drift everywhere but where you want them. I use the pencil type bobber when I fish for steelhead and the small ball type of bobber for trout.

   When fishing for the smaller fish you will want to have some kind of a stringer. You can get the kind with a ring tied on one end and all you do is put the end without the ring thru the gill and out the mouth of the fish, then put that end thru the ring on the rope stringer. There is also the metal chain with snap clips attached. They usually have five or six clips attached and you can put up to three fish on each clip depending on the size of the fish.

   Another type of fishing tackle are the weights. These usually are lead and come in more kinds then I can list. Probably the most used is the split shot are designed so you can squeeze one side to close them tight around you line and then squeeze the other side or them to remove from your fishing line. You can also use the bell kind you tie on through a metal loop at the end of the lead weight. Again, there are a lot of different kinds of weight and each have there place for use. We have not even touched the surface of the different kinds of fishing tackle we can use.

Choosing a fishing line for your reel

   Choosing the right fishing line is the most important item for a fisherman. It is very important in how your bait and lures are presented to your fish and once you hook a fish, will you be able to land the fish? Most fishermen do not know about the types of fishing line available to them. Understanding and knowing what the different fishing line will do, and choosing the right line for the type of fishing you will be doing .

   There is no one type of fishing line that will do everything you want. You need to think about the type of fish and how big they get where you are going. Then you need to think about what you need the line to do for you. Each line will be different in the breaking point, how much stretch and how strong it is.

   There is one type of line that is  probably the most used by anglers, the Monofilament line. This  fishing line are usually inexpensive. Remember cheaper is not always the best. If you use a monofilament line do not pick the least expensive, move up to a better line and you will be happier with the fishing line. Usually if you pick a brand name you recognize and pick a little more expensive line it will serve you better in castingand knot strength.

   Another type of fishing line is the braided line. This type is not used much anymore. I doesn't have as good a strength as monofilament and has very little stretch. Still, there are some fishermen that like the softness and believe that improves there catch. Now there is what they call the microfilament lines, braid line has improved greatly. They cast better now and there strength has improved. Lures dive deeper and quicker with microlines. Saltwater fishermen use most of the braided  line. They are used for backing on fly fishing reels and as backing for mono line on reels.

   Another type is the fluorocarbon line. This fishing line is practically invisible and it does not break down as easily because of sunlight or other things. It does not absorb water either.

   We started using fluorocarbon line mostly in saltwater and for fly fishing. We found out you could catch more fish by using it because of its low visibility. You do need to be more careful and show more attention with this type. This line is heavier and you may have a little trouble using it on light rods and if used in a casting reel you may have to adjust the reel.