The Beginner’s Tackle Box or Bag

As a beginner, you likely have no idea of what you need in a beginner’s tackle box. You go to a store and see an excessive amount of tackle. There are items you do not know what they are or are used for in fishing. The ones you do know come in a lot of sizes and types. How do you choose the right pieces of tackle?

Asking on social media gets you as many answers as options in the tackle. This is of little help. Plus a large number of people simply say what they have been told by another person. Each piece of tackle is made for a purpose. That is why you see all the options.

Hooks for the Beginner’s Tackle Box

Hooks come in many types and sizes. A beginner usually needs 1-2 types in a few sizes. The sizes vary by species of fish. In general, small fish use a small hook and big fish use a big hook. Yet bass is a small to medium size fish and uses larger hooks. In contrast, trout use a very small hook in relation to their size.

The chart above gives sizes that work for various species. These are starting points in hook sizes. You may need to go a little bigger or smaller in some regions.

Picking a type is easier. Using live bait, use a baitholder or live bait hook. A baitholder has barbs on the shank to help keep worms and nightcrawlers on the hook. A live bait hook is a lighter hook intended for minnows.

If using soft plastic lures, there are 3 types of hooks to consider. The offset worm hook is for plastic worms. Using thicker plastics, you need an EWG hook (extra wide gap). They have more clearance for the larger soft plastics.

Finesse techniques use a wacky or dropshot hook. The hooks are basically the same so you can use either for both rigs. These are light wire hooks that work well with subtle lure presentations.

Catfish and carp anglers that specialize use circle or octopus hooks. A baitholder will work. But a circle or octopus hook is much stronger for hard-fighting fish. The circle hook does not need a hookset also. It catches in the side of the mouth and pressure hooks the fish.

Weights for the Beginner’s Tackle Box

Weights are confusing for anglers with little experience. The amount of weight is for casting and keeping the bait in place most of the time. The shape has an effect on the holding and casting ability of sinkers also. As a result, there are many choices in weights for fishing.

Split shot work with bobbers and in shallow water situations. These pinch onto the line. Using a bobber, the split shot keeps the bait below the bobber. In shallow water like a stream. The split shot can be added or removed to allow the bait to bounce along the bottom with the current. This is common for trout fishing.

The other weights are sinkers and make casting farther and keeping the bait in place easier. In a current look for sinkers with flat sides. These are coin or pyramid sinkers. The flat sides prevent the sinker from rolling. They dig in sandy bottoms also.

The egg or bullet-shaped sinkers are for the various slip-style rigs. These allow the line to pass through the sinker. This prevents the fish from feeling the weight. These sinkers are common for rigging Texas or Carolina rigs and Lindy rigs.

Casting sinkers are six-sided teardrop-shaped sinkers. There are bell-shaped sinkers with a wire attachment also. The shape of the sinker will give a little more distance, a few yards for the average person. These sinkers will roll in current or slide on muddy or sandy bottoms.

There are specialized weights in fishing also. A beginner likely does not need the sinkers starting out.

Line Choices

As an angler, you get to choose from 3 types of lines. Your choice is important with a line. Using the wrong type of line will cause problems for you. Besides line type, quality is a big part of the performance. The cheapest lines do not last and do not meet specifications often.

In other words, buy a good quality line. You do not need an expensive line. Yet paying less than 7-8 to fill a reel is a poor choice. This is the biggest mistake beginners make. They skimp on the line. You cannot catch fish with a line that breaks easily, tangles, or has other issues in performing.

Monofilament Fishing Lines

Some people have the idea that monofilament is a bad line, but it is not. If you fish in areas with a lot of abrasive structure or cover it is the best line to use. It has the best abrasion resistance. I use monofilament when fishing on the bottom of rivers. Your line is rubbing on rocks and other debris on the bottom.

Monofilament has the best shock strength of any fishing line. This is explained as the bungee cord effect. When a fish thrashes or you set the hook hard it has a little give. This keeps a hook from tearing free. People dislike the line for this reason. They believe their hook will not set properly. A sharp hook of the right size goes in easily to a fish’s lip.

The downside of monofilament is memory and a shorter life span. The line will form coils in test strengths exceeding 8-10 pounds. You have to spool the line properly. If you put the line on the spool wrong you add twists into the line making more loops.

This line degrades from UV rays and extensive time in the water. As a result, it needs to be changed at least once a year. If you fish often 2-3 times a year is normal. The line gets weak and will snap well below the indicated test strength.

Braided Fishing Lines

Using braid is common among anglers today. It lasts longer and has a small diameter-to-strength ratio. If you need to use a stronger line then braid may be the answer. People fishing for larger fish will find braid a good choice in the majority of situations.

Although, lacking the abrasion resistance and shock strength of monofilament braid is the line to use at times. Fishing in areas with weeds the line cuts through easier and holds up much better. The line does actually cut through small weeds.

The line diameter is much smaller than the monofilament. You can get more of the line on a reel and cast farther. When you need a high-strength line it is the better option most of the time. A 40-pound test braid has the same diameter as a 12-pound test monofilament

A few More Tips on Braided Lines

An easy way to look at a line is by species also. Fishing in the weeds uses the right strength braid. If fishing in rocky areas goes with the monofilament in the proper strength.

There are things to be aware of with braided lines. The line does not stretch. It will dig into the line on the spool if you pull hard. It needs to be spooled tightly also. The thinner diameter and lack of stretch are the reasons it will dig in. It will cut through the skin if you wrap it around your fingers or the hand and pull it hard.

Plus the line has a slick coating. The knots have to be the right type and properly tied. A knot will slip out in a braid very easily if tied wrong. The majority of braids use a Palomar knot that is fairly easy to tie. The Uni-knot and a few other works also. Using a braid you will need to know a few knots.

Floats or Bobbers

A few floats or bobbers help when fishing in lakes or ponds. You suspend the bait higher in the water. This allows fish to see the bait easier. You will learn fish feed higher in the water at times and on the bottom also. Experienced anglers call this the fish feeding up or down.

Fish feeding up tends to be mid-depth or higher. They look towards the surface. A bobber places the bait above the fish where it is looking. They will not see bait at the bottom. You do have to try several depths to find where the fish are feeding.

The easiest bobbers are the ones with spring-loaded attachments. You can use the round or bulb and stick type. Have a few sizes of floats. They need to hold the bait up but go under easy when a fish takes the bait. You can find sets of many sizes for a low cost.

Accessories and Tools for the Beginner’s Tackle Box

Starting fishing people overlook a few basics in accessories for the beginner’s tackle box. The hooks, lines, and weights are common knowledge. Tools to release fish safely and fast are not thought about. Add in accessories for keeping bait and your catch. These items fall into the tools you need or are nice to have at times.

Release Tools

Release tools allow you to hold the hook and fish for easier removal. A pair of long nose-pliers are the best to pull out hooks. Hemostats work well for small fish. Buy the tool best suited for the species you plan to catch. One of these tools is a must-have item.

A tool to cut hooks is a safety tool also. At times a hook needs to be cut. It may be stuck in you or the fish. Wire cutters do fine on smaller hooks. Yet, for large hooks, you need small bolt cutters. Hooks over a size 2 you need bolt cutters.

A net is highly recommended for fishing. It holds the fish while you remove the hooks. Plus it can be kept in the water while you get your tools. Some fish have sharp fin spines or gill plates. You will get jabbed or cut if you hold one of these fish wrong.

A rubber net is better for you and the fish. Handling a fish or leaving it on the ground damages its slime layer. A net is the best way to keep hooks out of your hands also. If a fish thrashes while held the hooks can stick you fast.

Optional Tools

Bigger fish can be stubborn and clench their mouth shut. A jaw spreader is low cost and keeps a mouth open to remove hooks. I use a spreader on the pike, musky, and larger catfish. An optional tool but very helpful when needed.

If you need to lay the fish down, use a suitable mat. There are mats made of material that does not harm the slime layer. Use the mat after wetting it in the lake or river. Then lay the fish down. This is an optional item for people wanting to take a few pics or do not like holding fish.

Helpful Items

The other items to include in a tackle box will be helpful. Carry a few bandaids and antiseptic wipes for nicks and cuts. You will have cuts from time to time while fishing. An Altoid tin filled with bandaids and packets is a basic first aid kit.

A cutting tool for the line and other needs. A pocket knife, clippers, and scissors all cut the line fine. Opt for a bigger knife if you see the use for it while fishing. I carry a pocket knife and it covers my needs.

A stringer to hold fish. If you plan to keep a few fish to eat. A stringer is the best way. There are stringers made of nylon string you slide through the gills and mouth. Plus a better stringer has clips keeping some space between fish. You leave the fish in the water staying alive. This keeps them fresh for when taken home.

Conclusions to Beginner’s Tackle Box

People starting fishing overlook a few of the items in the article. Some are needed for fishing. While a few are optional and may or may not be needed by you. This does sound like a lot of tackle. Once it is put together it fits into a small space. A small tackle box or shoulder bag easily holds all of these items and more.