Tackle Box - What You Need For Fishing Success

It’s never the wrong time to head out on the water for a few hours of relaxing fishing out on the lake or even the Atlantic coast. Not only is it a good way to pass the time and unwind, it can also be a great source of a few extra meals, saving you some money. But if you want results, you’ll need to prepare before you leave home. Finding out you’ve forgotten something after you’ve hit the water is an awful feeling, especially if you realized that your tackle box is missing that special something. 

The Sports Center is your local source for all things fishing, so we’ve put together a list of a few items you’ll want to have in your tackle box any time you go fishing. For more tips, or to see our stock, stop by our shop in Perry, Georgia today! Our expert staff proudly serve the Macon and Columbus, Georgia, areas, and we’re ready to serve you, too!

Lures

Lures are fairly self-explanatory — they lure the fish to you. The types of lures you’ll likely want in your tackle box include minnow imitations, top-water lures, spinners, and spoons, as each one is designed to attract a different type of fish. You probably have your preferences, but it’s always a good idea to experiment with new lures in new fishing environments, just to be safe.

Bobbers

Also called floaters, these small objects rest on the surface of the water to indicate when there’s a fish tugging at your line. Once it sinks below the surface, it’s time to start reeling. The most common bobber is the round, red and white design, but these tend to limit how deep your line can sink. For more depth, we recommend a slip bobber, which can slip up and down the line. If you’re short on time or resources, a piece of cork with a stick in it can do in a pinch!

Sinkers

The sinker rests below the bobber on your line and helps it sink deeper into the water, since most hooks and lures are too light to do that on their own. These are hefty little gizmos, but they’re pretty easy to lose, so make sure you have some extras on hand. Sinkers used to be made out of lead, one of the densest substances we know of, but given the ways lead can poison the water, the fish, and, eventually, you, these designs are banned in many places around the country. Sinkers are now sold in materials like steel, bismuth, tungsten, and brass.

Needle-Nose Pliers

This small tool is super handy to have on board when you go out fishing. You can use these delicate but powerful pliers to get the hook out of any fish you’ve caught. They’re also good for bending wires or removing other items than might cause you inconvenience. They’re pretty universally handy.

Extra Line

As any long-time angler will tell you, it’s vitally important to keep some extra fishing line stashed on your boat or in your tackle box. Your line can get tangled or can break pretty easily while you’re fishing. Sometimes it will get caught in something, and some fish might be able to snap it. If you’re fishing in rougher waters, extra-heavy-duty line is better. Thin and clear lines are best in calm inland waters.

Hooks

You never know what type of fish you’ll find, so keep some extra hooks in your tackle box. Include a variety of hook designs, like J-hooks and French hooks, as well as a variety of sizes. This can help anglers trying out new fishing spots, preparing you for any size or type of fish you might come across!

First Aid Kit

Any outing into nature should be done with a fair amount of caution and preparation, which means you’ll need a first aid kit. This should always be fully stocked and kept in your tackle box. Some essential components include bandages of many sizes, gauze, waterproof medical tape, tweezers, ointments, antiseptic cream, sunscreen, bug spray, nail clippers, petroleum jelly, painkillers, antacids, and whatever else you can think of.

Line Cutter

Sometimes your fishing line ends up so tangled or stuck that there’s no way you can save it. This leaves you no choice but to cut the line. A sharp blade can help you in a pinch, or the nail clippers in your first aid kit, but a specialized or multi-tool is always a good addition to your gear.

We hope this has helped you prepare for more fishing adventures. If you have further questions or you’re looking for a boat or fishing supplies, stop by The Sports Center in Perry, Georgia, today!