What every tackle box should have.
Quite a few of the items on this list are overlooked by rookie Anglers. When filling your tackle box things like additional line, hooks, floats, weights, and lures, are obviously included. There are quite a few other items that are often forgotten. In this Post I’ll provide a list of items I don’t go without.
First of all if you intend to use lures, and fish for a variety of species. I would add a package of quick change leaders to your tackle box. Being able to quickly switch between different types of lures can be key to landing a trophy fish. When fishing with friends it allows each of you to try a different presentation. Then you can quickly switch to whichever lure the fish are striking.
The next item I won’t leave home without having it in my tackle box is Needle nose Pliers. If you don’t currently have one in your tackle box. Stop reading for a moment, and go add it in now! You can thank me later. If you’ve ever experienced how difficult it can be to unhook a Bass after it’s swallowed your treble hook. Then you’ll understand the importance of the Needle nose Pliers.
Another important item to include in every tackle box is a textured rubber glove. Some fish species are particularly difficult to hold. Having a glove handy that you can slip on is so much easier. Being able to get a better grip without having to squeeze the fish with additional force is extremely important. Especially if you intend to catch and release like I do. Too strong a grip will seriously harm a fish, and in most cases make a successful release unlikely.
Something I currently have in my tackle box that I didn’t include before is barbless hooks. I won’t fish anywhere new without having a few with me. I’ve also filed down a few of my favourite lures to make them barbless as well. Experience has taught me that certain areas only allow barbless hook fishing. Whether it’s local regulations, or because certain species are spawning. If you didn’t include barbless hooks in your tackle box, your day is over before it even began. You don’t want to miss out on a great fishing opportunity because you didn’t have a few hooks. Trust me, it happened to me once. I watched a kid land a 2lb Salmon on a section of the Credit River I had planned to fish. If I had even 1 barbless hook that could have been me. I’m never going to let that happen again.
The previous items were my absolute must haves. There are a few other items I’ve added to my tackle box that aren’t absolutely necessary but worthwhile. I have a small Flashlight because most of my fishing trips begin well before daybreak. I keep a pair of Scissors in case I lose a leader to a snag or need to add a drop weight. Cutting the extra bit of line after you tie the knot is much easier with Scissors than my teeth. The last item I always have is a small package of tissues. That’s right, if you fish in Canada you will deal with rapidly changing temperatures, and weather conditions. Tissues come in handy for any number of reasons. I almost always use at least one.
Add some or all of these items to your tackle box. It will definitely make your next Fishing trip much easier, and more enjoyable.
