According to a recent survey, studies found that around 3.5 million people in Australia engage in fishing every year, which is an index of the popularity and reception of this outdoor activity among Australians.
This popularity is the major contributor to the profits of a fishing store or the boat-touring industry. Beginners often have trouble when it comes to choosing the right equipment for one’s tackle box. Though one’s tackle box is completely customisable depending on the type of fish one prefers to catch, every tackle box will contain specific fundamental tools. Let us now introduce and familiarise ourselves with the function and nature of each of these items:
ROD AND REEL
A fishing rod is a slender stick usually made from durable and resilient carbon fire/graphite. It is flexible to enable the anglers to cast their fishing line into longer distances. The reel will be attached to the stick to aid the stick to pull in the fish closer. Different types of rods are available on the market depending on their control, elasticity and sensitivity. One should choose the right equipment from the right fishing store to ensure a seamless fishing experience! Experts advise using a pole of medium strength if you are a beginner. The advantages are plenty: the rod would be affordable, handy, and suitable for various types of fish that the user can reel out in quick time. To catch small fish from shallow water, a long rod and a line would be enough.
LINE
Fishing lines made of various materials and sizes are available on the market today. A fishing line is one of the most basic fishing gears one should carry along. It is better to carry multiple lines in one’s tackle box as there is a high chance for the fishing line to either break or get entangled while fishing. Especially in big-game fishing, larger fishes tend to be more aggressive, and lines made of stainless steel are necessary to tackle their jaw strength—the preferred location for fishing and the type of fish influence choosing the right line as well. On rough conditions, heavier lines are better, whereas slender lines are perfect for clear water conditions.
LIVE BAIT AND LURE
Lures are essentially synthetic baits that resemble live fish and are available in fluorescent colours to attract the target fish. Nowadays, lures have become a mandatory item in an angler’s tackle box either as a backup in case of shortage of live baits or simply because some prefer the artificial bait over live ones. Anglers also use live baits such as small fishes, worms, corn etc.
TACKLE
Anglers need hooks, sinkers, floats and weights while fishing. Such fishing equipment is collectively known as fishing tackle. Floats, weights and hooks are the mandatory tackles a beginner must have in his/her tackle box.
SUNSCREEN AND FIRST AID BOX
On a sunny day, anglers will have to bear the brunt to the scorching sun, especially on a beachside. In this case, your skin will be directly exposed to UV rays, leading to skin cancer. So, it is better to carry a small sunscreen tube in your tackle box to ensure safety. Similarly, injuries are likely to happen, especially in rough fishing conditions. Also, some of the equipment, like weights and hooks, can cause minor injuries. So, it is safe to include a first-aid kit in your tackle box to deal with such unprecedented injuries.