Your fishing gear can help you land the big one, so you should make sure you choose wisely when it comes to lures, reels and rods. It isn’t always the most expensive piece of equipment that wins - you have to present the right lure to the fish in order to get him to bite. Depending on the conditions and where you are fishing, you may want to be sure our tackle box is filled with equipment that will tackle any fishing situation.

Fishing lures come in all shapes sizes and colors. Some look like they belong on a disco floor while others are more subtle. Of course, you will want to have a wide range of lures in your arsenal, but when you are fishing you want to make sure you cast the right one out. In order to do that you need to know a bit about the fish you are trying to catch. Find out what he eats and pick a lure that resembles that.

The color of your lure can tempt a fish that might not otherwise bite. Match your lure selection to the type of water you are fishing. If the water is full of sediment, then pick a brightly colored lure. If you are fishing a crystal clear body of water then choose more natural colors. Dual colored lures work good in muddy streams as well.

It’s also important to have a good quality reel for fishing. If you are picking out a fly reel be aware that there are two types of drag systems. This is what provides the tension on the line and prevents the fish from running away with the line. You want to be sure to pick the right reel and drag tension if you are going after those larger fish.

Of course, you also need a great fishing rod and they come in many styles. Depending on the type of fishing you will be doing, you could choose a fly rod, surf casting rod, casting rod or deep sea rod. Using the right rod is imperative for a successful fishing trip. Quality is important too as the low quality rods break and fall apart easily. You don’t want that to happen when you are reeling in the big one!

The best rods today are made of graphite, they are the strongest but still lightweight. When selecting a rod, make sure the cork fits properly and the guides appear to be durable. Also, the guides should be covered with paint or something that will protect it from rust.

If you are planning an early morning fishing trip, it’s best to select your fishing gear the night before and test it out. That way you can run out to the store if you don’t have that perfect lure or your reel isn’t working properly. Make sure everything is working and you have enough line wound on your reel. Don’t forget to pack enough hooks, sinkers and other accessories.

Make sure the equipment you select is geared for the type of fishing you will be doing. The rods, reels and lures you will use differ depending on if you are in a fast moving stream or fishing from a canoe on a quite lake. Of course, the species of fish you are after makes a big difference in your choice of equipment as well.

So next time you plan a fishing trip, make sure you plan ahead and find out what the fish are eating at this time of year and what the water is like. Select your gear accordingly and you’ll be landing that prize catch in no time!

Lee Dobbins writes for Fishing Around where you can find out more about all types of fishing and how to make the best of your next fishing trip.

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