Fishing Equipment

Posted by Derek Townsend on November 12, 2009 under Fishing Equipment | Be the First to Comment

Sea fishing is both challenging and exhilarating. There are few things more satisfying than reeling in a trophy sized bass, conger or even a cod. If you haven’t tried sea fishing, you should.  You don’t need lots of specialist gear, just a few basic items. Here are my recommendations for a beginner’s sea fishing rig that will work well in a variety of settings like estuaries and beaches, harbours, piers and rocky shores.

Fishing Equipment – Reels and Rods for Sea Fishing

If you choose a mid-sized fixed spool reel, it should handle all the fishing places I mentioned. For beginners, it’s easier to learn how to cast effectively with a fixed spool reel. If properly maintained, a reel in the £30 to £40 range will be quite serviceable for many seasons. For a rod, select one with a soft through action. This means the rod will flex easily and gently without violently snapping back to straight. I suggest a 10 to 12 foot long rod for a beginner. This length allows you to fish in a good variety of locations. If the rod were shorter, it would make pier and rock fishing difficult. If it were longer, there’s no doubt a beginner would find it unwieldy. You’ll also need to consider the rod’s casting weight. If casting distance is an important factor, you’ll need a rod with a heavier casting weight.

Fishing Equipment – Choosing the Right Fishing Line

Line choice depends heavily on where you’re fishing. If there’s heavy vegetation, you’ll need a line that’s both tough and thin. A good line type is braid or fusion. If the water is clear, choose fluorocarbon line because it’s light refracting property renders it invisible under water. Monofilament line is great for rocky areas or rough bottoms. The more stretchable the line is, the more forgiving it will be. A less stretchable line offers more sensitivity. Monofilament line has about 15% to 30% stretch while fluorocarbon has somewhat less and braid line has none. Bait casting reels work well with stiff line and spin casting reels work well with thin, limp line. Finally, select a line colour that blends with the type of waters you’re fishing — clear, dark green, brown or highly visible fluorescent line.

All beginners at sea fishing should establish a good relationship with a top-notch tackle shop like keenstackleandguns.co.uk. The shop’s staff has a great deal of knowledge that will help you tailor your fishing gear to local conditions.