Small gear & consumables
The parts and consumables a season uses up
26 categories of things that are lost, broken off and bought again, judged on the same terms as the rods and reels: by what they change, and whether the cheaper option already does it. A part only helps if it matches what you already own — a jig head is chosen against the casting weight printed on your rod and never against the fish, a hook size is paired to a line diameter rather than to a species, and a wire trace is rated in the unit its own packet uses.
Browse by category
- Monofilament line Diameter against breaking strain, and the metres on the spool 7
- Braided line How many strands, and no stretch at all 6
- Fluorocarbon leaders Nearly invisible in water, and sold by the leader or the spool 7
- Hard lures Length, weight, and how deep it swims 7
- Soft lures Centimetres, and the jig head that goes inside 7
- Spoons and spinners Grams, and a flash that works without any technique 7
- Jig heads Weight in grams and hook size, always as a pair 7
- Pilkers and metal jigs Grams, and how fast it drops through a hundred metres 7
- Hooks Size, and whether it arrives already tied 7
- Floats Grams of shot it carries, and whether it lights up 7
- Leads and weights Grams, shape, and whether it can be moved 7
- Swivels and clips Size, breaking strain, and whether it really turns 7
- Wire traces Bite-proof, because a pike will cut nylon 7
- Carp rigs Ready-tied presentations, each for one lake bottom 7
- Keepnets Length and diameter, and a mesh that does not mark a flank 7
- Fishing scales Kilos, a hook, and a tape if you are lucky 7
- Pliers and hook removers Length, and a cutter that will go through braid 7
- Rod rests The head that holds the rod, and the thread that fits 7
- Boat rod holders A clamp that fits your rail, and 360 degrees of angle 7
- Tackle boxes Compartments, and whether it is also a seat 7
- Tackle bags Litres, and whether the rods travel with it 7
- Rod holdalls Length in centimetres, and how many rods fit made up 7
- Fishing gloves Landing a pike, or keeping hands warm — rarely both 7
- Method feeders Grams, and the mould that packs the bait around it 7
- Groundbait Kilos, a target species, and whether liquid comes with it 7
- Boilies Millimetres, a flavour, and whether they sink 7