According to Wickipedia the definition of ‘fishing tackle’ is; “The equipment used by fishermen when fishing. Almost any equipment or gear used for fishing can be called fishing tackle. Some examples are hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, baits, lures, spears, nets, gaffs, traps, waders and tackle boxes. Gear that is attached to the end of a fishing line is called terminal tackle. This includes hooks, leaders, swivels, sinkers, floats, split rings and wire, snaps, beads, spoons, blades, spinners and clevises (like shackles) to attach spinner blades to fishing lures. Sometimes the term fishing rig is used for a completed assembly of tackle ready for fishing. Fishing tackle can be contrasted with fishing techniques. Fishing tackle refers to the physical equipment that is used when fishing, whereas fishing techniques refers to the manner in which the tackle is used when fishing. The term ‘tackle’, with the meaning "apparatus for fishing", has been in use from 1398 AD. Fishing tackle is also called fishing gear. However the term fishing gear is more usually used in the context of commercial fishing, whereas fishing tackle is more often used in the context of recreational fishing. These details cover equipment used by recreational fishermen.

A boom keeps the trace line away from the main line and this helps stopping tangles occurring especially when drifting or when using long traces. Used with a Paternoster rig (the weight below the hook) a boom can be used to enable positioning the bait a certain distance above the sea bed. Used as part of a Leger rig (the weight above the hook) they can be run freely to enable the main line to be extended to any length.

Normally associated with coarse fishing but floats have a place in catching certain sea species such as Mullet, Wrasse, Garfish, Mackerel and even, as long as not protected, Sharks. This is great sport when using light equipment to match the size of fish expected to be caught. Floats are manufactured in many different designs, sizes, and colours and each type has a specific use. Their main purpose is to; 1. Aid casting 2. Indicate position of bail 3. Assist presentation of bait 4. Show bites. Sea floats are large in comparison to coarse floats to enable them to be seen more easily in a marine environment. They can be tall or short, round or pear shaped. Attachment to the main line is usually made by passing the line through the middle and using stoppers either at just the top or top and bottom. The best one to use will depend on the species and weather.

Selection With manufacturers producing a multitude of different patterns, finishes and sizes, anglers have a confusing choice of hooks. The most effective hook pattern and size is dependant on the species being targeted and the type of bait to be used. Always use the smallest hook possible, ensuring that the point and barb are showing after setting the bait. A long-shanked hook is easier to remove from a fish, and is some-times used for this reason alone. A normal or short- shanked hook improves the catching rare due to improved coverage of the hook by the bait. There are two basic types of hook, the spade-end and the eyed, of which there are many different patterns of each. Generally, eyed hooks are mainly used by sea anglers as they are easier for making up your own rigs. You can also buy hooks ready tied if not confident tying your own or just to save time. One thing you should try to avoid is having to make up rigs when actually out fishing. Manufacture Hooks are made from a variety of different metals - in particular, high carbon or stainless steel. The wire is worked and shaped in an annealed (soft) form and then heated, and sometimes chemically treated. Heat treatment is not necessarily to give the hook additional strength but to make sure the wire has obtained its optimum strength. Hardened hooks have greater strength but can be more brittle, making them prone to snap under pressure. Lesser degrees of hardening allow the hook to bend a little and still retain its shape. High carbon steel hooks hold their sharp points longer than low carbon steel but are harder to sharpen. Most hooks are chemically sharpened - originally pioneered for surgical needles - by applying an acid to eat away the required amount of metal as opposed to grinding. After manufacture, most hooks are coated to give some corrosion protection using Tin, Bronze, Nickel or man-made materials.

Early fishing lines were braided natural materials like silk and therefore quite expensive, modern lines are made from synthetic materials like Nylon, Dacron, Dyneema, and Fluorocarbon. According to Wickipedia it was written in 1667 by Samuel Pepys that the fishing lines in his time were made from catgut. Later, silk fishing lines were used around 1724. A quick search on Google for sea fishing lines provides a choice of over 362 manufacturers so who knows how many different lines are available for sea anglers. Well known in the UK are, in no particular order, Shimano, Daiwa, Berkley, Penn, Korda, Shakespeare etc.

What is a ‘Lure’? Ithe English language to ‘lure’ is to tempt, entice or allure a person or animal to do something often regarded as unwise especially by offering some form of reward. In fishing terms this means using something usually artificial (the lure) that when presented correctly will attract a fish to consider it as a tasty meal (temptation) and get itself hooked (unwisely). There are numerous types of lure available that can be made from plastic, wood, feathers, metal or rubber some of which are in two pieces with a flexible link holding them together. All of which have unique properties, i.e. colour, shape, number of hooks (single or trebles) etc which when used in a certain way in the right waters will help catch the chosen species. You can never tell what other species, other than the one targeted, may be tempted by any of these types of lures it will just be by chance and it does happen which comes as a nice surprise. Check out some of the types of lure available;

Designed in three different styles, Fixed spool, Multiplier and Centre Pin with variations within each group, they all have one common denominator and that is to store, release and retrieve line. Depending on the type of fishing will attract a certain style of reel. The rod it has to be fixed to will also determine one type more suited than another; essentially the rod and reel have to be balanced. For sea fishing from a boat the Multiplier takes preference by many anglers but there are many Fixed spool converts where- as fishing for coarse or game fish the Fixed spool are mainly used.

The earliest rods were developed using natural materials such as ash, greenwood, lancewood and cane but they sometimes tended to split or snap under relatively low strains. These rods were also prone to deteriorate with age and if not stored correctly tended to take on a set (permanent bend or twist). Split cane however is still used to make specialists rods. Advances in the development of composites such as Glass Fibre, Carbon (graphite), Boron and Kevlar has dramatically changed the structure and dynamics of fishing rods. The manufacturing processes have been refined resulting in the production of rods that are comparatively inexpensive, maintenance free and hold high tensile strength against weight ratios.

Swivels are an essential piece of equipment in making up rigs. When joining main lines to traces or weights to booms the swivel will help stop tangles and assist in the recovery of species that have the tendency to spin as you retrieve. Swivels come in different sizes and styles, as shown below, but all have the same function to join two lines together (as well as the ones to fix the weight).

There are many diversified styles of weights available for sea angling and even more for coarse fishing. Weights enable the trace line to be lowered into position and if necessary anchored. A weight also provides the ability to cast. Due to the size of fishes and depths of water being fished in the sea this usually requires using a lead weight that weighs more than 0.06 grams so the Control of Pollution (Anglers’ Lead Weights) Regulations 1986 do not apply. Sea weights can start as light as 1oz to 2.5 lbs dependant on fishing method. The heavier the weight the less likely it is to feel or see a bite and ability to strike effectively. When fishing in tidal waters the size of weight will have to be changed over time to reflect the movement of the water.