What’s in your tackle bag? We have discussed this topic many times and now that the weather has warmed up and catches are making headlines each day, what better time to refresh what’s in our bags.
Two of the most guarded secrets an angler keeps is their favorite fishing spot and the contents of their tackle bag. While secret fishing spots are frequently shared only to close friends, their tackle bags contents can be held stealth for years.
The tackle bag, as a general rule, should only include items you will need on the current fishing trip focusing on just your target species. But lots of anglers, including this author, use the bag sometimes as a storage box for everything they possibly could ever use even if it doesn’t work on every trip.
While they might be a great place to store gear when not in use, it can be especially burdensome to drag a heavy bag out on each trip.
So today let’s discuss the basic items the occasional angler should carry during a typical trip.
Standard contents should at least include a collection of sinkers, hooks and terminal rigging gear.
Also several types of two hook bottom rigs, Carolina rig and several self-made or purchased bottom or pompano rigs are needed for those special occasions. Sabiki rigs are great for catching your own live bait.
Anglers should also carry a small bait knife, cutting board, finger nail clippers, and pliers, tape measure, and fish grippers. Several rags will help steady a fish to remove hooks
The bag should also include a variety jigging gear with a variety of lead heads, various soft swim baits, and several different got-cha plugs or top water hard baits. A bottle of attractant will help enhance an artificial hard bait or even freshen fresh or live baits.
A tackle bag with not be complete without “fish-bites” or some other type of artificial baits.
This list is definitely not complete and inclusive but it should give the new or occasional angler as least a start on filing that tackle bag with basic gear.
One tip: If you find yourself with extra gear that will not be used that day, store it in a rubber-made crate and leave it in your vehicle. That way, the gear won’t load down your bag but if needed it’s just a quick walk back to your vehicle.
In a future article, we will discuss, “what’s next” with your tackle bag.
Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony