Fishing is an excellent option if you are looking for a great way to spend time with your partner, family or even by yourself that is away from the metro. Something you can do to relax a bit and maybe bag some game fish for dinner. But learning new things like anything else for the first time can be overwhelming and you might be struggling to know where you are going to start. In this case, the first thing you need to start with is shopping with your essential fishing gears! And this will be the beginning of your fishing journey where you will become accustomed to the act of fishing and techniques along the way. Nothing beats in building your skills through experience.
Whether you are fishing solo, with kids, or with a group, here’s the list of the basic fishing equipment or gears that you should know.
Table of Contents
1. Rod and Reel
These two gears are the foundation of your fishing equipment. Fishing rod is the long and thin pole that is usually made from fiberglass and graphite. It is very durable that will allow you to throw your fishing line further and deeper into the line. As for fishing reel, this is the gear that you will attach to the rod. The main purpose is to help you wind your line and draw your catch.
As a beginner, it is recommended to buy an already assembled spinning rod and reel combination. This type can cross-over from freshwater to shallow water. This is very versatile as you can fish from the shore, at the dock or pier or even while you are at the boat. Pick also six or seven foot medium action rod that will be an average length that is good for first timers in fishing activity.
2. Fishing Line
Most of the time, reel and rod combo already comes with a fishing line. But it is always recommended to bring extra. You will never know when your fishing line will get tangled or break during your fishing. You also need a variety of strings that will be depending on what kind of fishing you are going to do. For saltwater fishing, it is advisable to buy a light leader with at least 20 pound fluorocarbon that will give extra strength and abrasion resistance.
Note: You must have at least 100 yards of line on your fishing reel. Rough environment will need heavy and stronger fishing lines. Clear waters require thin, clear braided lines. You can also try monofilament lines that will be best as it is user friendly and easy to use.
3. Hooks
Same thing with fishing lines, you have to have varieties of hooks that you will need depending on what type of fishes you are planning to catch. The purpose of the hook is trapping the fish when they nibble the bait and it will poke their mouth or sometimes it pierce through their body.
As a first timer, it will be best to buy a single hook that has sizes ranging from 32 (smallest) to 19/0 (largest).
4. Bait and Lures
Bait’s main function is to attach to the end of the line that will lure fishes. The best type of bait is always the live baits which are worms and minnows or small freshwater fish. But different types of fishes attract different types of food. There will be cheaper options you can use as bait like grubs, corn, squished bread, marshmallows, or bits of hotdog.
Basically, fishing lures are artificial baits that are used by anglers to get the attention of predatory fishes or they are catching a specific type of fish. Light-colored lures are used for sunny days in clearwater areas. While dark colored lures are for cloudy days and murky waters. You can also use two-toned worms that are dark colored heads with light colored tails that are also best in cloudy and murky waters.
5. Sinkers
Most of the time sinkers are made of lead. But newer options now are made of environmentally friendly materials like brass, tungsten, steel, and bismuth. It is also attached at the end of your line so that your lightweight hook and bait will sink deeper to the water. You also need to have a lot of extra as it is easy to lose them while on longer fishing seasons.
6. Bobbers or Floaters
This is used to keep your bait closer to the surface of the water. It will also serve as a guide if there is some activity already at the end of your fishing line like a fish already hooked at your bait. By this time, you can immediately reel closer your catch. The most common is a round red that is made of plastic and easy to attach in your line but can limit how deep you cast it.
7. Swivels
Swivels are used to prevent your line from getting twisted. It has a loop on both ends that you can choose the one with snap so that you can easily attach your lures, baits and lines easily. But it easily broke down with bigger fishes.
8. Tackle Box
It is used in storing your new hooks, sinkers, lures, pliers, and all your other small tools. The other use of this is to make your storage organized and conveniently transport your gears to your fishing area. Choose a medium sized tackle box with trays, pockets and more storage options.
9. Hand Tools
As a beginner, stick with the essentials like a pair of needle nose pliers and a handheld line-cutter tool when you buy hand tools. This is the basic tools you will need, no need to include sophisticated tools that you don’t really need.
10. Fishing License
One of the most important things any angler must have before they go fishing is their fishing license. Each state in the US has their own regulations and some offer daily, short-term, annual or lifetime licenses. You can purchase one online or at your local outdoor retailer.
Conclusion
As you already purchased these basic fishing gears that you need on your fist fishing activity, your next step is to finally go fishing! As you acquire techniques and skills in fishing, you might upgrade your gears depending on how far or big fishes you might want to catch. Now, go ahead and try fishing!