Fishing Tackle : A Fishing Net

Fishing Tackle and Other Equipment

A fishing tackle shopping or borrow list

Okay. You made it this far. This is what you will need. Pictures will be supplied but at the moment all I can do is list them. If you are borrowing tackle from a friend, then he will know all of the things listed and hopefully will have them. If you are taking the plunge and buying them, simply list the ingredients to the tackle shop person who will be more than pleased to help. Also, it’s worth considering asking your local tackle shop if he will hire out the fishing tackle that you are likely to need. I know that my local fishing tackle shop does and they are only too pleased to help encourage new people taking angling up.

Fishing rod: Something smallish, say six to eight feet long if you are new to the game. Kids can certainly run into lots of problems with, say, a twelve foot rod but don’t discount using a longer fishing rod if that all you can get hold of.

Fishing reel: A fixed spool reel is pretty much essential fishing gear (as opposed to a centre pin reel). Easy for children to master and slightly more difficult to tangle, drop, break etc…

Fishing line: This needs to be attached to the fishing reel – but you knew that. Fishing line comes in very many different thickness’ but for an all round leisure fishing day I would recommend the breaking strain to be about four or five pounds. I would say that you will need at least one hundred yards – perhaps more depending on how deep or shallow the spool is.

Floats: You don’t have to use a float but if you are fishing with kids it’s probably the most fun. You don’t want enormous floats – something about mid sized will do for this outing about the length of a biro pen should be about right. You will probably need more than one!

Hooks: For this fishing trip I think a pack of ten hooks to nylon, size sixteen barbless 2.5llb breaking strain would be great (ask in the tackle shop if you are unsure). Most fresh water fisheries insist on barbless hooks now anyway but they are always a better idea when fishing with children anyway.
Bait – Having the right bait will give you a better chance of catching some fish.

Maggots: This is not the time to get all squeamish on me here! They are nasty smelly creatures (and I am not talking about the kids now) but the fish love them and it’s one bait above most that you stand more chance of catching with on a leisure days fishing. I will go into more detail on baiting a hook on another page.

Weights: You will need split weights (split shot) that you press onto the line to make the float sit at the correct height in the water – they used to be made of lead but are far more safe now – probably still not edible though, so watch those kids!

A knife: A knife is always a handy thing to have when fishing. You cut line etc with it – it saves you breaking your teeth when trying to bite through the line.

A disgorger: This is a very important tool for getting the hook out of the fish when it has swallowed it past the lips. Dead fish can be avoided this way.

Landing net: Possibly not essential for smaller fish but a must for larger ones and as we have no way of regulating whether we will catch small or large fish then take one if you can get one.

Optional stuff: Chair, change of clothes, food, and sunscreen, insect repellent plasters – first aid, wellies, camera. Patience!

Children have a very limited attention span so don’t expect them to sit for hours and hours especially if there is nothing biting. It may be a good idea to pack a picnic or have another diversion planned. A digging expedition to find worms is always a good idea – you can always use them as bait (the worms, not the kids). Don’t forget to pull the rods in and remove the bait from the hook or you may find that you have caught a bird or a rat or something!