Basic Saltwater Fishing Gear

Saltwater fishing gear is called fishing tackle by specialists and hobbyists, and it generally refers to rods, lines, hooks, sinkers, spears, lures, baits, reels, nets, and so on. The saltwater fishing gear that is attached at the end of a line is called terminal tackle and this category includes hooks, swivels, sinkers, and snaps.

Etymologically speaking, the “tackle” as fishing equipment originates from ‘takel’ which designated the rigging of a ship, or to put it otherwise, the rope supports necessary for a ship’s masts and sails. Later the same word was recorded to have a different meaning, that of apparatus for fishing and that meaning has been preserved ever since.

The most basic fishing equipment consists of a rod with a line and a hook, a lure and a bait attached to the hook and a sinker. The line is a basic cord especially made for fishing that is both long and thin so that fish do not notice it. There are various things that an angler asks about when buying a fishing line such as resistance, stretch, strength and so on. The line will be selected based on the size and the species peculiarities of the fish he/she intends to catch.
Bass Fishing Lures



The sinker, otherwise known as a plummet, is actually a weight that helps in casting the hook and the bait as far as possible from the shoreline or from the boat that the fisherman uses. They are usually made of lead as their purpose is also to sink and to get the bait closer to the fish in the water as fast as possible. In some parts of the world, lead can no longer be included in the fishing equipment because of its high toxicity level. If swallowed by bird species or other fish, the sinker causes the death of the animal.

Another standard type of fishing equipment is the hook. This is a device meant for attaching the bait and for impaling the fish mouth. These sharp “claws” get attached to the line; and the fisherman can choose from a large array of hook sizes, materials and shapes.

Last but not least, the fishing equipment cannot be efficient without bait or lure. The lure is an item of material hung at the end of the line that looks and moves like something resembling the prey of the fish you are after. The color, motion and vibration of the lure become focal points for the fish that afterwards goes for the bait. Once the fish catches the lure, it gets hooked. Bait is the prey like element attached to the hook that works together with the lure for a successful catch. Bait can be natural including insects, little fish or worms, or artificial made of fabric or plastic materials.

Learn more about fishing, fishing techniques and fishing destinations here Sport Fishing Boats and also here Saltwater Fishing Tackle