Fishing Gear Basics

No fisherman is complete without his full set of quality fishing equipment. Whether you are just starting to collect fishing equipment or you are planning to give fishing gear as a gift to someone, it can be very difficult in deciding what to purchase. Sports stores are filled with an overabundance of fancy gear, but not all of the gear they provide is essential, and sometimes will not even make a difference in your catch.

The basic essentials any angler needs to be a successful fisherman are a rod and reel, fishing line, some hooks, sinkers, bobbers, a tackle box or bag to put your equipment in, a fishing knife, artificial lures and bait.

The Basics:

• Rod – is the foundation for all your gear. They need to be stiff enough so that they won't break, yet flexible enough to absorb the tension when you are reeling in the fish.
• Reel – a mechanical devise that holds and spools out fishing line and also, of course, used for reeling in the fish you are targeting.
• Hooks – the right hook will hold the fish you are after. There are numerous types of hooks that are characterized by their physical features (point, barb, eye, bend, shank, and size).
• Rigs – the way you tie together bait, hook, swivels, etc.
• Line – most anglers use monofilament nylon, and a good line weight to start with is 6-12 pound test. ("Pound test" is the amount of weight it takes to break the fishing line).
• Knife – used for cleaning your catch and working with the bait. Ideally one with a stainless steel blade, a rubber handle, which gives good grip for when your hands are wet and can be opened with one hand.

Of course, saltwater and freshwater locations each require different kinds of equipment designed for that variety of fishing. For example, Southern California fishing includes both saltwater and freshwater fishing so anglers in this region may need two sets of fishing gear depending on which water they cast a line at. Freshwater fishing  requires long fiberglass rods and spinning and bait casting reels, while saltwater fishermen need  sturdier rods and reels due to the fact that the fish are generally much larger than those in freshwater. Make sure to check with your vendor whether it is a freshwater or saltwater piece of equipment which you are purchasing.

The right fishing accessories can not only help you land more fish, but also make your time out on the water more enjoyable. Even if you're not quite ready for the high-end gear just yet, make sure you at least pick up some of the essentials (especially a good fishing knife.) When searching for fishing gear for yourself or a gift, you can never go wrong with the basics.