Everyone is familiar with the basic fishing gear: rod and reel. But they may not be aware that different types are used for different styles. Spinning reels have a different design from baitcasting reels for a reason.
The same goes for hooks and lures. A pro wouldn't use an Aberdeen where a circle hook would be appropriate and vice-versa. A fly fisherman is going to look long and hard to find just that right fly to go after a speckled trout. Ditto fishing line, which is designed with varying applications in mind. Sometimes you need a lightweight monofilament line with a lot of stretch and other times you just have to use the super heavy braided stuff.
But finding the right gear for the right application goes well beyond these basic elements.
Landing nets run the gamut, depending on whether they're designed for tiny freshwater species or the larger saltwater beasts. Even a gaff is going to be rated for a range that probably does not include a 1,000 pound Marlin like the record-breaker caught off the coast of New Zealand not long ago.
Tackle boxes and their compartments will have to cover an equally wide range. After a fisherman has been angling for a few years, his collection of lures, flies, hooks and other small tackle items will reach gargantuan proportions. Keeping all those things secure and organized is a must.
The conditions encountered on a fishing trip vary a lot, too. That creates a need for a variety of bags to carry items that would rarely be found in a tackle box. At the same time, the clothing worn will differ. Some trips take the outdoorsman to a warm Montana river in the summer. Others will see him ice fishing in Alaska in October.
While on the trip, he'll need a lot of tools. Hook reshaping, removal and sharpening, along with a hundred other tasks require pliers, files and much more. A range of knives is essential, too. No pro would cut a leader for a line with a fillet blade.
But larger equipment is equally varied.
Kayaks and canoes come in a range of sizes for different terrains. Boats may be anything from a 10-foot dinghy to a 60-foot or larger convertible. A freshwater bass boat just won't do for saltwater fishing that targets a sailfish.
And whether you're on the shoreline or far out at sea a good weather station can make the difference between a pleasure trip and trip to the hospital. Out on the lake or on the open water, a sonar unit can help make a fishing trip equally safe and productive. Powering the stove, lighting or laptop while you're away might just require a portable generator, too.
But one thing always remains the same, across the centuries and in all environments: the love of that special combination of relaxation and struggle, strategy and stillness that is fishing. Now all you need is the right gear.
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