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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Choosing your rod and reel

The most basic fishing equipment is the rod and re'el. Today's rods are made of various materials such as fibreglass and Graphite. Some rods are long, and others are short. Some bend verv easily, while others are stiff. Anglers also have several different types of reels to choose from.

Anglers use different rod and reel rigs depending on what kind of fishing they are doing. To fish for small fish, such as roach and gudgeon, it is best to use a lightweight reel and a rod that bends easily. Landing a 7-kilogram (15-pound) fish usually requires a lonqer, stiffer rod and a sturdy reel.

Four main types of reels

All reels have spool for holding a line and some kind of crank for retrieving a lure, or bait. A closed-face reel is the easiest kind of reel For beginners to use. The spool that holds the line is enclosed in a case. The angler can cast easily without tangling the line. A spinning reel has an open spool with a thin, metal loop called a bail arm. An angler flips the bail arm over to cast or to let out some line. Spinning reels are the most popular because they are easy to use.

They also can be used to fish for all types and sizes of fish in almost all conditions. A multiplyer is designed to be used with heavier rods, lines, and bait. Anglers use multiplyers when they are fishing for big pike. A fly reel is simpler than other types of reels. lt looks a bit like a flattened spool. Fly reels are used only to store line between casts. They are not used to retrieve the lure. Instead, a fly fisher retrieves the lure, and lands the fish, by pulling directly on the line. lt .lS used for all sizes of fish.

Setting the drag

One of the most important jobs of the reel is to provide the right amount of resistance, or drag, when playing, or reeling in, a fish. The drag should be set so that a fish can pull some I.lne out when it is fighting hard, but it should require the fish to use some force. All reels have a knob or lever to adjust drag. To set the drag on a spinning or closed-face reel, hold the rod in one hand pull on the line with the other. The rod should bend a little bit before the line starts coming off the reel.

Tackling

The tackle box

Many people think that supplying and organizing your tackle box is one of the most enjoyable parts of fishing, Choose a tackle box that is the right size for your fishing style. It should have different-sized compartments to keep your tackle neat and organized so you can easily find whatever you want.

Tackle box supplies

Hooks. Anglers lose a lot of hooks. They get snagged on weeds, rocks, and other underwater objects. Hooked fish sometimes cut the line with their teeth or break it by pulling hard on it. There will also be times that you will want to change from a larger to a smaller hook, the other way around, Floats. Floats are round or oblong shapes made of Elastic that attached to a line a certain distance above the bait.

They float at the surface of the water, and their movement shows when a fish has taken the bait. Floats come in all shades an,d sizes defending on the type of water to be fished. Stock your tackle box with a variety. Lures. Lures are artificial baits, and they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and colours. To get started, pick lures that are the right size for your rod and reel.

lf you really catch the fishing fever, you will probably make regular additions to your collection of lures. Weiqhts. Weiqhts are used to dl~aq your bait to the depth of the water where the fish are. Some weights are attached to the line with a hole, or eye. Others have a sl*lt that can be pinched around the line (called slit shot). Et is a good idea to have a mix of different weightsF shapes, and sizes.

Other angling supplies

Needle-nosed pliers come in handy to bend hooks back into shape and to get hooks out of a fish's mouth. A disgorger is used for extracting hooks that are deep *ln a fish's mouth Sunblock is important to protect your skin from the sun's rays when outdoors, especially face and hands. A small file .ls useful for sharpen.lng dull hooks. A small scale and ruler will allow you to weigh and measure the fish you catch. Polarized sunglasses are specially designed to filter out glare and allow you to see fish and other objects under the water. It is always important to use sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright sunlight.