Step one of purchasing fishing equipment should be consulting a knowledgeable bait and tackle salesperson for tailored advice on which fish you want to target and the environment in which you plan to fish.

If you plan to fish from piers or ocean waters, use medium-heavy rods with enough strength to wrest fish away from obstacles and covertly capture fish.

Rod

Fishing rods come in all sorts of lengths, styles and materials; choosing the appropriate one depends on what kind of fishing you intend to do as well as your strength and coordination levels.

Your choice of rod will depend on both personal preferences for spinning reels or casting reels and type of bait you intend to use.

A rod is typically composed of one or two pieces connected by a male/female ferrule at its butt end, usually made of plastic, rubber or wood. Furthermore, there may be guides (small rings running along its entire length) made either from plastic or ceramic that further secure its components together.

Reel

Fishing reels are mechanical devices designed to wind and unwind fishing lines from rods. Different reels may be suitable for targeting different kinds of fish; therefore when selecting one you should keep this in mind when making your choice.

Spinning reels are great tools for beginners as they’re easy to use with minimal learning curve. Many spincast rods come equipped with these reels in combo packages.

An open face reel or spinning reel allows the line to unwind from its spool freely and can store large amounts of line depending on its size. These are more costly than closed face reels but provide greater durability and ease of use; some even feature anti-reverse locks and adjustable drag systems with variable tension levels for greater tension or relaxation.

Line

Fishing line is a long threaded line used for fishing purposes. It comes spooled on a reel and is cast and pulled by rods to lure and hook fish.

Fishing lines come in all sorts of materials and thicknesses and diameters to meet different species and fishing conditions. Each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully considered when selecting one for use.

Monofilament lines, constructed of nylon in one continuous strand, are both cost-effective and straightforward to cast. Braided lines offer thickness and strength over monofilaments; their materials such as dacron, spectra and dyneema make these the go-to choices for thicker and stronger lines than monofilament ones. Fluorocarbon lines are often employed as leaders because of their invisibility under water as well as abrasion resistance – they’re an ideal way to pair braided lines to enhance performance even further.

Soft Bait

Soft bait setups will ensure you have all of the tools to successfully fish for estuary bream, estuary perch or bass in any environment. Look for soft bait rods with medium-fast actions and advanced multi-taper designs; these rods allow more pressure on your bait by being stiffer through their middle sections while more flexible at their tips.

An essential element of any quality rig is its line. Look for high-sensitivity PE line with fine diameter and excellent strength ratings, such as fluorocarbon; these materials tend to be lighter and less likely to snag than their PE counterparts.

Your local tackle shop can recommend soft plastics suitable to your area and species.

Pliers

As a catch and release angler, pliers are essential tools for quickly and safely extracting hooks from fish quickly and safely. Most models feature sharp cutting blades capable of quickly cutting through fishing lines including braided lines.

Some pliers feature curved tips designed to maneuver in tight spaces, while others come equipped with wire cutters near their bases for cutting wire and untangling knots or creating or modifying leader lines. Some even come equipped with sheaths or holsters that can be attached directly to belt loops or tackle bags for convenient access.

Choose fishing pliers made from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or aircraft-grade aluminum. Lubricate moving parts and joints so they are easily maneuvered while fishing.