By Staff
waterhead.com
October 3, 2011

Fishing tackle is a term that refers to all the equipment the average recreational angler uses to catch fish. When talking about commercial equipment, fishing gear is the proper term. Shops selling this equipment separate the items into more than ten categories that include such things as floats, reels, rods, bait and hooks.

People who fish always use floats in conjunction with sinkers. The goal is to keep the bait suspended at a desired depth and wait for the fish to swim by and discover it. Floats, also called bobbers, come in a variety of bright colors. Some are directional which allows the user to guide the bait to the right spot when the current is slow.

The rod, or pole, is the basic piece of equipment used to catch fish. This device is flexible and is used to cast the line, hook and bait into the body of water. Various lengths are available from 3 feet to 18.5 feet. A fly rod is extremely thin and more flexible than other types of rods.

Lures mimic natural prey to attract the fish to the hook. A jig is one kind of lure. A deep water jig is heavier and reserved for use in water 300 meters deep. Surface lures are made of synthetic or natural bait and float on the surface. Some emit a popping sound to attract fish. Spinnerbait, plugs and swimbait are other specific types of lures.

A gaff is the preferred tool when going after large species and is only used if the intention is to kill the animal. This long pole has a hook at the end, which impales the animal along the back.

Spear guns are also appropriate for catching larges species but several countries have banned their use. Power for the gun comes from an elastic sling or compressed gas, in the case of a pneumatic gun.

To catch many fish at once, the angler may use a net. Nets are standard equipment on most commercial boats. Nylon is the most popular material for the mesh in modern times but silk and wool were once more widely used. Net types include coracle, cast, drift fyke and hand nets.
 
Anglers attach a reel to the rod to make it easier to let the line in and out. Fly, centrepin, bait casting and spinning reels are some of the most common reels sold.

Fish traps are now made of thick steel woven into a mesh but old traps utilized fiber or wood. The specially designed openings bend back to their original position and block fish from swimming back out after they swim in.

Waders are special pants made of PVC. This waterproof material keeps the legs dry all the way up to the thighs in some cases. Some have socks or boots attached to the bottom.

Sinkers help keep the bait and hook underneath the water surface. These small items come in a variety of shapes and weights. Deep sea fishermen use sinkers that weigh several pounds. An egg sinker looks like a small bead and works well in water that has debris and rocks. Pyramid sinkers are shaped exactly as their name suggests. Slip-shot sinkers, bank sinkers, bullet sinkers and Dipseys are just some of the other popular types used.

Bait is chosen according to species and looks like natural prey. Bait may be alive or dead and includes things like minnows, worms, salamanders, insects and leeches. Many anglers use cheese because the strong odor will attract many fish.

Line must be chosen carefully according to the type of fish the angler is after. Weight and material are two important factors along with UV resistance, stretch, visibility and abrasion resistance.

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