If you’re new to the joys of fishing, you’ll want to equip your tackle box— where you keep your smaller fishing equipment— with all of the essentials so your trip can run smoothly. Visit your local tackle shop with these items in mind to ensure a fruitful, peaceful adventure on the water.

What Should You Have In Your Tackle Box?

1. Needle-Nose Pliers

Needle-nose pliers, as their name suggests, have a long nose and are useful for a range of fishing tasks. They’ll help you get your fishing equipment ready for use; for example, use needle-nose pliers to install fishing hooks that might otherwise be dangerous to touch with your hands.

You can also use them to firmly attach split shot weights and thus avoid weight movement when casting. This tool is also essential for de-hooking your fish—whether you’ve caught something that likes to bite or the hook is buried deep inside of the fish, needle-nose pliers will ensure the removal process is safe and mess-free.

2. Extra Lines

Your fishing line connects your bait to your rod and thus enables you to cast out to your preferred distance and catch fish. However, it’s hard to predict when your line might snap, tangle, or knot due to a large fish or shifting weather conditions. For these instances, it’s a good idea to invest in an extra spool of line from your tackle shop.

The type of line you purchase will depend on fishing conditions as well as the type of fish you’re aiming for. For example, if you’re fishing in rough conditions, durability is key. If you’re in calm and clear water, you’ll want a translucent line.

3. Plastic Worms & Lures

Although live bait is the favorite of many fishermen, it never hurts to have plastic worms in your tackle box. They’re easy to attach to your hook and come in a range of sizes and colors. Some fishermen believe certain colors are particularly effective, but you’ll have to test each out to see what works best for you. 

Additionally, keep some lures in your tackle box to improve your fishing experience. Lures come in endless varieties including spoons and minnow imitations. They’re designed to attract fish—the minnow imitation, for example, behaves like a swimming minnow. 

To fill your tackle box with quality essentials, visit J&M Tackle in Orange Beach, AL. Visit the tackle shop’s showroom to find fishing apparel and supplies such as rods, reels, and lures. They even have a cold storage facility for frozen fishing bait. For those in search of the perfect fishing rod, consult one of their experts and they’ll help you design your ideal model.  For questions about their affordable, reliable equipment, call (251) 981-5460. Go online to browse items for your tackle box.