Fishing Equipment
In order to successfully go fishing, you will need the right gear. Such gear includes items like hooks, lines, sinkers, rods, reels, and bait. These things can help anyone, from beginners to seasoned fishermen, participate and enjoy this fun and relaxing sport.
What equipment do you need to go fishing?A beginner only needs a small list of basic fishing gear, including:
- Fishing license: This is perhaps the most important thing to have when you want to go fishing. Fishing laws and rules vary by state, but most states require a fishing license for anyone over the age of 18.
- Rod: Sometimes called a fishing pole, a fishing rod is basically a long, flexible stick to which the fishing line and hook are attached.
- Reel: A fishing reel is a special spool that holds extra fishing line. It includes a mechanism to release the line during casting and a handle to wind the line back up again.
- Line: This special string attaches the hook to the reel and rod. It must be strong as well as flexible in order to be able to pull a fish out of the water without breaking.
- Hook: The hook is what actually makes the catch, usually by attaching to the fish’s mouth when the fish tries to eat your bait. They are available in many shapes and sizes for various fishing situations.
- Sinker: A sinker is a small weight that attaches to the line above the hook in order to carry the bait to the bottom of the lake or river. This is where most fish swim, and using a sinker may increase the likelihood of catching one.
- Bait: Bait is what attracts the fish to your line and is available in a couple of different categories: live bait and artificial lures. Live bait usually consists of minnows or night crawlers. Artificial lures are reusable and can be made to look and act like bugs or small frogs in order to attract a fish.
More advanced fishermen may have need for a wider array of fishing gear, such as:
- Bobber: This is a flotation device used to keep the hook from going all the way to the bottom of the lake or river. By tying it a certain distance from your hook and sinker, it will not only keep them suspended in the water at a specific depth, but it will also act as a bite indicator as it bobs up and down when a fish grabs the bait.
- Swivel: Certain types of bait can move or twist around, causing the fishing line to become tangled. A swivel prevents this problem when attached right above the hook since it allows the bait to move freely and keeps the rest of the line from becoming twisted.
- Tackle box: Seasoned fishermen have a large box shaped like a toolbox in which they keep their fishing gear. A tackle box may include compartments for different lures and hooks as well as a spot for extra line and your pocketknife.