What UK Anglers Should Take in Their Fishing Tackle Boxes—A List of Important Tools
As fishing season gets underway and you prepare for your first outing, remember that a lot of the fun comes from getting your tackle box loaded up with the things you’ll need for the trip. While you may remember to bring bobbers, line, sinkers, leaders, and hooks, you might forget an essential item, the lack of which can ruin your outing. Let’s look at the “must have’s” for your fishing trip.
Fishing Tackle Boxes – Needle Nose Pliers
One critical item for your tackle box are needle nose pliers. Pliers will allow you to quickly take the hooks out of your fish. Be sure to choose a needle nose that has an integrated cutter that will be quite handy if you need to snip the end of a hook before removing it. Needle nose pliers are also good for crimping split shot as well as leaders onto your line.
Knife
Choose a sturdy knife that you can use for a variety of tasks. I’d recommend a pretty large blade made of stainless steel. A partially serrated blade offers the most flexibility. It must also be durable enough to either clean or prepare the fish. Two good features to have on a fishing knife are a hook disgorger and a scaler.
File
A file can aid you in maintaining a sharp edge on your hooks, and with some practice, your knife as well. Choose a small triangular shaped file with a different abrasive surface on each side. Some fishermen prefer to carry a whetstone, but using one correctly takes a bit of practice.
Toilet Roll
Let’s be frank – if you need to use the bathroom, nothing works nearly as well. It’s not necessary to take a full roll. Unwind a good amount and seal it in a plastic bag. But make sure to take enough—and while you’re add it, throw in some Kleenexes or paper towels. If you need to make a fire, these paper items make great tinder.
Fishing Tackle Boxes – Nail Clippers
Most clippers include a file that’s useful for making hooks sharp. The clipper part can be used for clipping the line.
Cigarette Lighter
Should you need to make a fire for some reason, this is an essential tool to have. Lighters are also handy for melting the ends of a rope to avoid fraying and to fix messed up plastic worms.
Fishing Tackle Boxes – Emergency Equipment
The best option is to buy a small, pocket sized kit. The kit should include something to cleanse a wound, dress a wound, and/or kill the germs around a wound. Gauze pads and an Ace® bandage are excellent to include. You should also carry a pain-killer such as Tylenol. Sunscreen is essential as well.
Bug Repellent
Nothing can ruin a trip faster than being swarmed by bugs, so be sure to take the appropriate repellent with you.
Compact Food
Pack a few energy bars or granola bars. These make a nutritious lunch, along with a handful of nuts or raisins.
Now you can sit back, and focus on catching a whopper!
