| Weights -People who fish usually use weights or sinkers to be able to lower down their bait or lure at a deeper level than normal. There are a wide variety of sinkers, each with its own unique use, shape, and size.
Split shot A split shot sinker is a small round ball made of lead with a slit cut halfway to the middle, which needs to be pinched onto the fishing line to be able to use it. It is the most versatile of all the sinkers.
Sliding sinkers Sliding sinkers are placed on the line like beads since they have a hole right through them. There are two types of these sliding sinkers. First is the egg sinker, which is named because of its shape, and is recommended for fishing live bait. The next is the bullet sinker, which is cone like in appearance, and used for fishing with lures.
Casting or dipsey sinkers
Casting or deep sea sinkers are utilized for fishing bait on the surface of the ocean floor. These sinkers are the best for use in rocky bottoms since its rounded shape allows for less snagging.
Trolling sinkers Sinkers used for trolling are attached to the fishing line with a clinch knot at each end, few feet above the lure or bait, which is to let the bait remain in deep water.
Other less common sinkers include walking sinkers There is also the walking sinker, shaped like a shallow letter L, for slowly moving live bait on the ocean floor. The grip or clinch sinker are shaped like cylinders with tabs on the end to clamp on the fishing line.
Snaps, Swivels and Snap Swivels -Snaps are tiny diaper pin
like devices that simplify changing lures. Tie one to the end of your
line and it's a simple matter to open up the snap, put on a plug,
close the snap, and begin casting. A snap swivel is a snap that
is attached to a swivel, which consists of a pair of metal line eyes
that rotate freely, without kinking or torquing. The swivel
absorbs the twisting motion without affecting the line. Sometimes it
is necessary to use just a swivel. When fishing for toothy
fish with light line, you may have to use a leader made of heavier
line that the fish cant bite through.
Bobbers -A bobber or a float, is a device that attaches to a
fishing line and floats on the water's surface, used to indicate a
strike. A bobber is also used to put a bait on a particular depth.
When a fish takes the bait, the bobber quivers, jerks or goes
completely under the water. Bobbers are usually painted in two
different colors. The portion of the bobber that floats above the
water is usually white, making it easy to see and keep track of. The
bottom part is typically red or some other contrasting color so the
angler can easily determine when a fish is mouthing or taking the
bait.
The basic ball bobber is a round plastic float with recessed hooks
on the top and the bottom. The angler runs the fishing line through
booth hooks, which are exposed by depressing the spring loaded button
on the top. Ball bobbers are good all around bobbers.
A slip bobber is a plastic or hard foam round or pear shaped float
with a hole drilled through the middle. The angler runs the fishing
line through the hole, and holds it in place with a tapered wooden or
plastic stick inserted into the hole. One advantage of a slip bobber
is the ability to fish baits very deeply. For instance, if you want to
put a minnow in 10 feet of water, the bobber has to be about 9 feet
from your hook and its impossible to cast with that mush line hanging
down. With a slip bobber you can attach a bobber stop, a little bead,
wherever you want to stop the bobber.
A pencil bobber is a long, thin float with a small hook at
one end. When a fish takes the bait, the pencil stands up. Pencil
bobbers are best when using small bait or when fishing for small
species of fish.
Leaders -A leader is a short length of heavy fishing line or
wire tied to the end of the main line on the end of the rod and reel.
Leader serve one of two purposes: to prevent break offs by sharp
toothed fish; or to provide a length of clear line when using braided
or heavy line that certain species in certain waters would see.
Hooks -What fishing all comes down to is the ability to be
able to put a hook into a fish's mouth. A hook works by its point
becoming embedded in a fish's mouth or gullet. However, it's up to the
fisherman to cause this to happen and to keep it that way until the
fish is in hand. A fish hook is designated by a number. The higher the
number, the smaller the hook. Hooks can be long shanked or short
shanked. This is also designated by a number. The correct hook size
depends on the bait you're using and the fish size you're after.
A hook's style is determined by a number of features. A weedless
hook is one that features one or more thin wires that extend from
the hook eye to the point. The idea is that the wires will keep weeds
from snagging on the hook, but will bend inward when a fish
strikes.
A double hook has one eye and shank with two points. They
are most often used when fishing in salt water with very large baits.
A treble hook has one eye and shank with three points. These
are most common on lures, and many lures have two or three sets of
treble hooks on them.
It pays to carry a large assortment of hook sizes at all times,
even if you know you're going to be fishing for just one species of
one particular size range.
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