fishing tackle and bait

Tackle and bait are used together to catch fish. Fishing tackle is available in numerous styles to fit various fishing techniques, environments and species.

Live bait includes worms, minnows, squid, cut up pieces of fish and other natural sources of sustenance; artificial bait includes spinners, jigs and spoons that mimic the action of live baitfish.

Hooks

Hooks are essential parts of tackle, and can make or break your chances for landing fish. There are various kinds of hooks designed specifically to address different needs.

Rolled-in points provide deep penetration while keeping your hook’s force directly aligned with its path through a fish’s mouth, making this technique especially helpful when fishing tougher baits like pilchards, dead squid and other flesh or dough baits that thrash around post hook set.

Lures

Lures mimic prey species and can be effective tools when applied in different situations. When selecting lures that you plan on targeting for fish hunting purposes, try selecting lures with sizes, colors and actions similar to what the prey species you want them for exhibits.

Poppers, among other topwater lures, flutter across the water’s surface to attract fish that feed at this level – especially panfish and other smaller species.

Lures can be attached directly to fishing lines using knots like the improved clinch or Palomar knot, or attached using split rings and snap fasteners (for leaders).

Sinkers

Sinkers can be invaluable tools in your fishing arsenal when dealing with strong currents, deep fishing or making long casts. Sinkers help maintain consistent depth for baits to remain on target instead of floating away with wind or current movement.

Many savvy anglers carry an assortment of these simple yet effective weights in their tackle boxes so they can quickly press into service whenever circumstances demand extra weight to bring lures and baits down where fish are present. Some designs even feature dual swivels to minimize line twist.

Line

Line is used to link bait and hook, and should usually be wrapped around an object such as a sinker, bobber or swivel. Which line type you select depends on your fishing situation and the kind of bait being used.

Monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon fishing lines are among the most frequently used lines. All three have unique properties; for instance, monofilament lines offer greater stretch which enables fish to feel lures longer and increases hook-up rates; however this same characteristic can become an obstacle when fishing around dense gator grass vegetation.

Leaders

A leader, or trace, connects your hook or lure to your line and can be made out of several different materials like nylon, fluorocarbon and wire.

Nylon offers an economical yet simple tying option, while fluorocarbon provides greater abrasion resistance underwater and virtually undetectability underwater. Wire leaders may be necessary when targeting toothy species that may rip through thinner lines.

Platypus developed the Hard Armor Game Leader to meet angler feedback on durability, stretch control, knot tying ease and clear visibility. Available in clear and ice blue variants for convenient storage in hanks or lure bags.

Floats

Floats suspend bait at an exact depth and act as strike indicators, offering rapid adjustments. There is an array of sizes available; slip floats offer even faster adjustments.

Finding the appropriate size float can be challenging. An ideal float should be small enough to remain visible yet sensitive enough to detect light strikes (while still keeping bait within striking range).

Round floats tend to offer maximum buoyancy for their size, while narrow cigar types provide minimal resistance while remaining floating freely. Set floats may prove more efficient in certain instances than slip floats.

Weights

Finding the perfect weight can help your bait or lure sink to its desired depth for successful fishing. Different conditions require different weights; trial-and-error will help anglers determine what works best.

Split-shot weights that can be quickly clipped to line are among the most versatile fishing weights, while other options such as worm weights; walking sinkers; coin-shaped, cannonball, pyramid-style weights; bullet weights and barrel weights also can come in handy.

Fishing bobbers help baits remain at an ideal depth, making them easier for fish to see when they strike. Furthermore, these tools can prevent snags and tangles by providing additional separation between the hook and main line.