A fisherman is only as good as his tackle, and so, if you plan on fishing out there at sea, you should only get the best sea fishing tackle for use when you pursue the sport. Treat your purchase of your sea fishing tackle as an investment, and it will greatly enhance your angling experience.

Unfortunately, good sea fishing tackle is not as cheap as we would like it to be, given the worsening economic conditions all over the world and the soaring prices that come along with it, including the cost of fishing gear. People who cannot afford brand new sea fishing tackle will have to go with second-hand ones that fit their budget.

Here is where the trouble begins: many inexperienced fishermen end up getting bad fishing gear or paying more than they should when buying second-hand. The case is always that they just took the word of the seller at face value and did not check the condition of the gear for themselves. Goodness knows how many conmen are out there looking for easy marks, and possible marks always include newbie anglers without a clue as to what kind of sea fishing tackle they ought to get.

Thus, if you are buying second-hand fishing equipment, always make sure to check the condition and the quality of the tackle itself. Let us take for example a second-hand fishing rod. A good fishing rod, whether it is brand new or previously used, will have a balanced feel in your hands, and it is a balance that should not be lost when you begin using it as you go sea fishing. Cracks on the rod and corrosion on the plates of the reel and on the spool will cause the fishing rod to lose its balance.

So, when buying second-hand sea fishing tackle, look out for nicks and cracks on the rod itself. It is easy to check the rod for damage ? just run your fingers along its length and feel for nicks and cracks with your own skin.

Reels, on the other hand, are much trickier. You have to check the outer plating of the reels as well as the inside. Sea water is corrosive, and a good fisherman will always wash his reels with warm tap water after using them. Many modern fishing reels are made from carbon composites that resist corroding, but then again, you would never know if the reels are not corroded if you would not check them thoroughly. Check the outer plate and have the seller dismantle the reel so you could have a look at the inside. If the gears inside look rusty or worn out but the plates are still good, you can get the reel and just replace the gear.

The rule of thumb in buying second-hand sea fishing tackle is to buy them only from sources you find reliable, like an acquaintance who has quit fishing or the second-hand shelves of a fishing retailer. Also, always check the condition of the sea fishing tackle before taking out your wallet.