Different types of tackle
Here at Big Catch Tackle, we are on a mission to bring you the very best fishing tackle that is on the market. We also have an eye on price, too, so that you will be able to update your collection of equipment, or indeed buy your first pieces of tackle, in an affordable manner. A brief look on our site will tell you that there is rather a lot of different pieces of kit to explore through! This may seem daunting at first, especially if you are a beginner, so we have put together this overview of the different types of tackle that you will come across.
What is fishing tackle?
You might hear a lot about fishing tackle, especially from people like us who are mad about the stuff! When someone says fishing tackle they will be referring to the fishing equipment, also called fishing gear, which is required for catching fish. You might be thinking that this includes quite a wide range of potential pieces of equipment, and you would be right in thinking that! Below is a list of 8 important pieces of tackle you will need to know about before developing your own passion for fishing.
Rods
This has to rank as the number one piece of tackle when you are thinking about the essentials. This is really at the heart of the majority of angling styles. A fishing rod is a flexible pole that you use when you are angling which needs to be strong, and responsive, capable of action (i.e. bend) and taper. With that said, these different characteristics will differ depending on what kind of angling you are doing; carp, match, lure or sea fishing. But if you are just starting out, it will be good to go for a medium strength pole which can deal with different kinds of fish, whilst it still has a high enough level of responsiveness for you to be able to get a good sense of what it feels like when a fish bites.
Reels
Attached to the rod, the reel is also a key piece of equipment. It's purpose is all about casting the line and then drawing it back in when you have caught a fish. There are different kinds of reels, but spinning reels are perhaps the most versatile, working effectively whether you are angling whilst positioned on a shore, at a pier or on a boat. A good fishing reel will help you have control when you are winding in your line and will offer you power whilst being lightweight enough to operate easily. Take a look at our online shop where you will find a range of sea fishing reels, match fishing reels, carp fishing reels or predator fishing reels which are smooth to use and highly durable.
Lines
If you are going to be casting out and then reeling in your fish, you are going to need some line to do so! With line, unlike the above items of gear, you will need to stock up so that you don't get caught without enough for the day. Although good quality fishing line is reliable enough, you always want to make sure that the occasional tangle or tear doesn't stop you from continuing with the fun. You are also going to want to explore a variety of options for different conditions. Line varies in strength, weight, visibility, elasticity, and other characteristics besides. This means that, depending on which fish you are targeting, how far you have to cast and what the water conditions are like, you will want to try out specific lines for the job at hand. Browse through our range of match, carp or predator fishing lines.
Terminal tackle
There is a category of fishing equipment which is normally called 'terminal tackle'. When you hear this, it won't be anything to do with fishing at airports! What it refers to is the tackle which will be attached to the end of your fishing line. This means that all the tackle like hooks, floats, sinkers, swivels and leaders are going to come under this category. In essence, it is the bit that closes the deal and gets that fish fixed to your line! Given that this is the business end of the rod and the line, you need to make sure that you have some effective and reliable options ready to go. As with the line, there are many different choices depending on whether you are carp, match, lure or sea fishing. A basic notion to consider first is what sort of fish you are going to be aiming to catch, as this will determine aspects of the terminal tackle - such as the hook size - to a great extent.
Bait and lures
All this fancy technology is not going to mean much if you do not have any bait! This is what you are going to be attaching onto the end of your line to attract, and hopefully help catch, your fish of choice. You have probably heard of the process of using worms and maggots as bait, but that is just scratching the surface of what is out there for you to use. As well as using live bait, you can also use highly realistic artificial bait which uses colour to cut through the water and attract your potential catches. Have a look through our range and you will find some high quality artificial corn, maggots, shrimp and more! You will also find some large and impressive pike lures which boast attractive and bright patterns to interest fish.
Bite alarms
As we have mentioned above, a flexible rod should mean that you will feel when you get a proper bite from a fish below the the surface. With that said, there are lots of highly effective bite alarm accessories which can help make this process a lot more manageable. Picking up on those small movements in the water which might be difficult to register by touch alone, the bite alarm is a great asset for beginners and experts alike. By alerting you to those moments when a fish has taken interest in your bait and had a nibble, bite alarms will allow you to be just as effective and sharp in your angling in the first hour of a session as in the eleventh hour!
Nets
All of the above information so far has been about the business of catching fish, but there is also tackle to consider which comes into play one step after that. If you are looking to keep your fish alive, then you may want to choose to invest in a keepnet. These are nets which you can set up so that they hang below the water and give you a space to keep your fish. They will be fish friendly, offering a dark and comforting place for fish to stay before you return them to the water or weigh them. You can also use carp fishing and landing nets in the angling process itself.
Tools
There are then all those little extra tools which can be used to make life easier when you are out there on a fishing trip. Bait tools, are going to make it a lot easier for you to present your bait on your hook. No matter how much time you have spent ensuring that all the other tackle we have mentioned above is the very best, this won't have much of an effect if your bait is not presented in the right way on the hook. What bait tools - sometimes known as needles - will do, is allow you to manipulate the bait intricately to place it in the exactly perfect position on the end of your line.
Chairs, barrows, cookware and more
Once you have all the tackle ticked off that you think you need to catch the fish you are after, there are a number of pieces of equipment which you will want to consider - these will be just as essential to the overall success of your fishing trips. Whilst not being quite so integral to the angling process itself, things like bags, barrows, chairs, bivvy tents, cooking accessories and clothing is of course going to be really important, especially if you are planning a longer trip. Thankfully, At Big Catch Tackle, we know that these elements are just as key as the rods and the reels to the overall experience, and so you will be sure to find plenty of high quality accessories for your comfort in our store or online shop.
At Big Catch Tackle, we have a wide range of all the tackle you could want. From the more affordable to the most cutting edge, all the tackle has an undeniable quality which will enable you to achieve high levels of performance. Whether you are adding to your collection, looking for replacements, or starting out from the beginning, be sure to explore our whole range and you may find some super fishing gear fit for purpose.