Your tackle is very important if you want to be a successful angler. It is the only connection you have with the fish and one of the main things that will be the difference between being a good angler and a great one. If you are having problems catching or reeling in the fish it may be due to poor quality tackle or a bad selection.
You need to also be aware that there is a big difference between freshwater and saltwater tackle. The salt air and water can damage and corrode freshwater tackle causing them to become useless very quickly. You will find yourself replacing the tackle quite often which can get expensive after awhile.
Saltwater tackle is designed especially for this type of environment and will not corrode or rust. However, you do need to understand that even if the tackle is designed for saltwater use, it still needs to be rinsed off with freshwater after each use to prolong its life.
Take the time to do a quick clean-up after each use to keep your tackle like new for a very long time. It only takes a few minutes to do and it makes a huge difference.
List of Saltwater Tackle
If you are filling your tackle box for the very first time you may not know exactly what items you should buy. Here is a list of saltwater tackle that every angler needs to get started.
Fishing Line Swivels Leaders Hooks Lures Sinkers Weights
Keep in mind that there are a wide variety of styles, sizes and materials used for the tackle above and it is suggested that you collect a variety of them. You never know for sure what mood the fish will be in or what size you will encounter. Therefore, having a variety to choose from can make all your trips more productive and fun.
After you acquire the basic tackle to get you started you can begin adding some of the extras that you always wanted.
Tips for Using Saltwater Tackle
Having good quality tackle is not the only thing that is important, you need to know what to use and when. The size of your tackle is a major issue.
Use tackle that is too big and the fish will swim past ignoring you only to take the next guys bait. Use tackle too small and you could miss out on the chance to reel in some of the larger fish in the area. They will ignore the smaller bait and go for a good size meal.
If you plan on going surf fishing keep in mind that it requires heavier gear than inshore fishing and deep-sea fishing means breaking out the big stuff.
Therefore, it is recommended that you plan ahead for the type of fishing you intend to do and take the tackle that is best suited for the job. Then have a variety of each one of these readily available to enhance your fishing trips and ensure you have the right tackle for every occasion.
At home, you should have a permanent place for your fishing gear for long-term storage. Fishing rods should go into racks where they are kept off the floor and away from children and pets. Tackle should be organized in a big tackle box. Waders (clean and dry) should be hung or kept in a storage tub.
If you have never organized your fishing gear, you may have to spend a significant amount of time restoring some of it into proper shape for use. You may want to tackle (ha ha) it in sections - focus on your rods and reels separately from your tackle.
Your rods and reels should be clean and serviceable. You can clean cork handles with mild soap and a scrub brush. WD-40 and an old toothbrush can help with reels. You should check your line and, if at all worn or frayed, cut off enough that you won't worry about it snapping the next time someone uses it.
Make or purchase a rack to stand your fishing rods in. This will eliminate damage caused by leaning against the wall or being accidentally stepped on and will also keep your rods away from children and pets.
Fishing lures and bait are probably going to be your worst enemy if you've not organized them sometime in the last decade. However, going through it will end up paying dividends the next time you just want to grab a tackle box and GO.
The first thing is to gather all of your tackle that you can find into one place. Separate the plastic from the metal, surface from spoon from spinner, etc. Organizing by color also works for some. Basically, you can organize your lures however best suits you. As you separate each lure, make sure that it is clean and not rusty before you assign it to a pile.
You can use freezer bags to organize soft baits, but for fishing lures, hard tackle boxes are best. There are many varieties on the market. If you fish for many different species, you might find that a 'main' tackle box for all of your equipment and a 'grab and go' tackle box will suit your diverse fishing needs.
Label all of your tackle, so you don't have to stop and think about replacing equipment in your new system. Tape or glue labels to the compartments of your hard tackle boxes and get a permanent marker for your freezer bags.
Tackle is best stored in a cool/dry situation rather than the variable temperatures and humidity of a boat or shed. Store in a room or basement.
Organizing your gear may take a long time and some effort. However, when you pack your bags for your next trip to the cabin, you'll be glad that you did. With a little time put in, you'll be able to grab your rod and tackle and just go for that next big catch!
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