Fishing involves a number of essential and interesting tools and equipment that anglers rely on for general and special fishing conditions. While the essentials are must-haves in your bags or fishing tackle boxes, there are varying additions and options you need to pack that must be readily available as long as it fits in your arsenal. That said, it can be hard to pick from these extra accessories while trying to lessen weight and maximise space.
Today we will look into these important items that are always against a backdrop of conditions, emergencies, sudden changes in the water or weather, and backups for all sorts of fishing incidents.
The Basics
Your fishing rod, lures and baits, and preferred daily and regular gear and accessories are already bunched up together before your fishing trip. These are the essentials of many regular to semi-regular fishers and anglers. They will always go beyond the basics at certain times. As a general rule, it is always better to overpack a little bit, and not so excessive, than be caught off-guard by ever-changing fishing conditions.
For starters, some of the essentials are:
- An up-to-date Australian recreational fishing license
- Fishing rod with reel
- A tackle box with all your preferred fishing lures, weights, tackles, swivels & snaps, fishing bells and fishing hooks etc
- Fishing line & Fishing Rigs
- Fishing bobbers
- Live bait inside a suitable container
- Fishing net
- Medium to a large container with ice for your catch
- Containers for rubbish, wastes, and nonbiodegradable items
Some secondary accessories and items:
- Protective hats for summer fishing
- Neck Gaiter or Fishing Bandana
- Boots and non-slipper footgear
- Water and Food Supply
- A basic kit for injuries
- Phones, maps, flashlights
- Floating gear
There can be some additional backup tools and supplies that can help expand your fishing arsenal. The addition of these extra accessories is subject to the settings of your trip. At times, you will have to go with the surrounding and water conditions and be prepared with your kits. Most conditions are changing of tides, the number of anglers in an area, peak times of fish, and the weather.
The situation may be fishing by boat or fishing jetski, fly fishing in medium to low level shallower waters, or doing shoreline long-distance casting. Some of these settings may be the usual several hours of daytime fishing with considerations in water action and possible weather changes. Some are whole day trips, weekend fishing trips, and overnight fishing trips solo or with a team, reserved for experienced fishers with a decent boat.
Adapting to Different Fishing environments
Even the best fishing environments you choose can demand additional tools, equipment, and even special vehicles for fishing. Most anglers and fishers take it easy by using convenient spots that are applicable for most basic fishing. You can focus on your basic tackleboxes and minimal gear, to keep tools at a minimum and have extra space or weight for their catch.
Other fishing conditions may call for extra accessories, or your full arsenal of tackle boxes when there are abrupt weather changes in the afternoon, or when you are in between changing tides, and sunlight guides.
Using Baits versus Lures
Many fishers and anglers will prefer live baits despite the associated conditions and extra care needed. Most fish are easily attracted to live bait with natural movement, with varying aromas that add more attraction for fishes, often hooking them securely. Most baits work well in more calm freshwater situations, and also in seawater fishing using common live baits for bigger fishes.
Lures will be more preferred for those who need fewer hassles and maintenance and are going for more specific fishes, especially bigger and wilder fish. This technique applies to both seawater and freshwater fishing. Unlike the more general appeal of baits, lures best work with crowded areas with lots of fish, or when targeting specific bigger fishes, and most often these other smaller fish will ignore lures.
Lures and their many combined devices such as may be more difficult to use for newer anglers. There are also complications in use, such as its ability to get entangled on plantations, underwater structures, and seaweeds around seabeds.
Fishing in Gutters and Channels
In gutter and channel fishing, you may need just the basic fishing tools from our list, but there are certain preferences. Since you are dealing with lots of seawater and sand, many older fishers and anglers don’t recommend using the more expensive tackle gear, for fear of jamming and other issues from accidental splashes of seawater and sand that could ruin your rods and reels.
Lighter lines are also preferred in these fishing situations, with monofilament as one of the main types used. These types of lines are easier to use with your gear as they have that extra stretch that is useful with baiting action, is lighter in action in the water and is less detectable by fish.
