slingFish Gear Guide

Rod and Reel Selection

There are two primary categories in fishing gear depending on your fishing preference, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing. In the most general sense, saltwater gear is designed a bit beefier and in some cases
of more corrosion resistant materials so they hold up in salty conditions. Once you decide on saltwater or freshwater it is time for gear selection.

The Rod:

Your fishing rod truly becomes an extension of your arm while fishing so choosing the right rod for you is important. There are many rod choices and their designs have reached a pinnacle of perfection with today's materials and engineering. There are different rods based on the size of the fish you are going after. Lighter more bendable rods for smaller fish, heavier more stout rods for larger and stronger fish. Some anglers choose to downsize their gear, going with lighter gear than for the intended fish, in order to increase the “sport” factor.

"Action" is a term used to describe the response and “feel” of the rod while casting, hooking, and landing a catch. Once you know range of fish you are going after it is just a matter of deciding which specific rod feels best to you. Shorter rods can be the best choice for near-shore fishing in ponds and smaller bodies of water, particularly where bush cover is abundant. Shorter rods have a much smaller casting radius than do larger rods and are a clear advantage when maneuvering around lots of brush and trees. Larger rods can be an advantage not only when fishing for larger fish, but also when fishing in areas where there is significant water current such as a river or swift stream. Finally, most anglers find they need more than one rod to fit all of their fishing applications. For example, you may find you need at least one freshwater setup and a separate, more sturdy, saltwater setup for when you head to the ocean.

The Reel:

The reel is the second important consideration when putting together your fishing rig. The most basic and easy to use type of reel is the closed-face spinning reel. It consists of a line spool and gear cranking mechanism that is capped with a removable spool cover. Line feeds from the spool though a small opening in the cap, enabling line to be fed through the eyes of the fishing rod. This is often the first type reel a new angler experiences. The closed-face reel can be used for almost any type of fishing and is often the preferred reel for general use. They are usually equipped with and audible which acts as feedback while landing a fish, or to announce a fish is on line.

Another type of reel is the open-faced spinner. It is easy to use, although not as easy to use as the closed face assembly, but typically have a very smooth casting release, and reeling action. Most are manufactured to be relatively sturdy, good for small to medium sized fish. Some are even designed specifically for ocean surf-casting and can be quite sturdy. Open faced reels also typically have audible drag.

The third type of reel covered here is the bait-caster. Of the three reels mentioned here this is the only one with a line spool that is transverse to the rod axis. Both the closed-faced caster and open-faced spinner have line spools that are inline with the rod. This means that unlike with the closed-face or open-faced rod, the bait-caster does not “twist” the line when reeled in, but turns it directly onto the spool. With this reel the spool friction must be adjusted for each type of bait or lure, depending upon the weight of what is being cast. They are generally a sturdy class of reel and are great when trolling for big fish. Think JAWS.

Fishing Tackle - Lures, live bait

Bait selection is one of the most elusive concepts for any angler. To attain mastery of bait selection is to attain a certain enlightened status among anglers. The “right” bait is different depending on not onlywhere you fish but when you fish, what time of year, what time of day, what the weather is like, and on and on. Here, we attempt to touch the tip of the iceberg.

Selecting the right bait always starts with figuring out what type of fish you are going after. Is it a fast and aggressive daytime top-feeder? Is it a slow moving, nocturnal, bottom-feeder?

Artificial Lures:

If you fish for daytime aggressive feeders, a floating artificial lure may work well. Of the artificial lures there are spoons, poppers, artificial minnows, worms, frogs, to name only a few. There is at least one type of artificial lure available to mimic each type of prey item fish are likely to encounter naturally. One advantage to using artificial lures is that unless you lose your lure to a fish, tree, or brush, you never run out of bait. Also, you do not have to “bait the hook” which can be less than pleasant to newcomers and children. One disadvantage is that artificial bait lacks the smell and natural movement of live baits. Don’t worry if you have trouble choosing the right bait for your area when starting out. You can ALWAYS ask advice from your local tackle shop or even from other anglers while out fishing.

Live bait:

Some of the more commonly used live baits are Nightcrawlers, live minnows, bloodworms, and crickets. In some instances there is no substitute for live bait. The natural smell, movement, and texture of live baits cannot be rivaled by artificial lures. Certainly, nighttime fishing in most cases actually requires live or natural bait since nocturnal feeders tend to rely on smell to locate food. "Baiting the hook” is a must with live bait which again, to some, can be a messy or unpleasant experience. A commong dilemma when using live bait is running OUT of it. This is an annoyance that can be conquered by planning ahead a bit when buying bait. An extra container of worms can keep you out there fishing, instead of heading home.

Finally, most anglers find that they need to try more than one type of bait to be successful. Don’t be surprised if you show up somewhere to fish with nightcrawlers and decide midway through your trip to switch to an artificial minnow because you “see’em hittin’ the top.” Having a few bait options available is always a good strategy. But, the most effective way to catch fish remains to get out there and try what you have!