16 Essential Fishing Equipment & Gear for Beginner Anglers

Planning your first fishing trip? Ditch the aisle overwhelm with our beginner fishing gear guide! We’ve listed out everything you’ll need to make sure you have a great time. So no matter if you’re a first-timer or a budding angler, you can feel confident in your tackle box and fishing kit before you head out.

Fishing isn’t a one-size-fits-all hobby or sport. Rather, it’s much more complex than you might initially imagine. Frankly, there’s just so much gear out there! So knowing exactly where to start can definitely be a huge hurdle to overcome alone.

We’ve curated this collection of essentials to help you choose the right stuff without all the fluff. As you go, you’ll learn as you fish what gaps in your tackle box or your gear you should fill or upgrade depending on a few factors:

• How long your fishing trips are (day trips, overnighters, weekend stays, or extended week-long trips)
• What species you prefer to catch (bass, trout, salmon, crappie, bluefish, catfish, etc.)
• Where you tend or want to fish (saltwater vs freshwater, deep sea vs small lakes, etc.)

You’ll find only the essential gear specific to catching fish in this guide. For a more comprehensive list, we’ve created this fishing trip checklist that covers everything else you might need, so be sure to visit it for more information.

If you’re getting ready to head out on your first solo fishing trip, you want to make sure you’ll have everything you need to make it a success. Read through this beginner fishing equipment guide to learn about each item and its importance. You can also browse Academy’s picks for each type of equipment.

The rod and reel you choose are two of the most important decisions you’ll make as a beginner angler. Rods are essential for casting the line, providing lure action, and fighting the fish. Reels bring the fish in. So how should you choose your rod and reel combo? We have an in-depth article about the different types of fishing rods to help you choose yours. However, here are two important considerations:

• Consider what type of fishing you want to do (e.g. fly fishing, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, etc.)
• Prioritize versatility and ease of use so you can have the opportunity to explore different species, environments, and lures/baits

Fishing line is another beginner angler essential because it connects the rod and reel with the fish. There are three main types of fishing lines to choose from including:

• Monofilament Line — Monofilament line is constructed from nylon in one long continuous strand. It is the most popular type of fishing line since it is abrasion-resistant and stretches to absorb shocks.
• Braided Line — Braided line is made up of strong, thin fibers braided together for a line that is almost twice as strong as monofilament. It will sink faster and cast farther than monofilament, but it is very slippery and difficult to cut.
• Fluorocarbon Line — Fluorocarbon line is often used as leader material with a braided line. It is invisible underwater and abrasion-resistant.

Fishing hooks are another angler essential since they’re the part that the fish latch onto. Every hook has a specific purpose. The most important thing to keep in mind is the size:

• If you have a hook that’s too large, it will prevent a smaller fish from putting it in its mouth.
• If the hook is too small, a bigger fish may swallow the hook whole.

Sinkers are also important for a successful fishing trip, although many anglers may not realize their importance. A sinker is a piece of metal that brings baits deep into the water where fish are. There are many styles and sizes, so you should keep in mind that choosing the perfect fishing weights can be just as crucial to fishing success as using the right lure or bait.

A fishing swivel is a handy piece of equipment that is made up of two rings connected to a pivoting point. It prevents your fishing line from getting tangled and twisted when you cast and reel. There are many different types and sizes of swivels to choose from. It will depend on what species of fish you’re looking to catch, as well as the other equipment you’ll be using.

Bobbers, also known as fishing floats , are used to provide greater control over your bait and lure placement. They’re also used to let you know when a fish bites by providing a visual indicator. There are many different styles and sizes, but the two main types are the following:

• Fixed bobbers — Fixed bobbers are versatile, widely used, and fixed in place on your fishing line. They can be placed at whatever depth you want and hold the bait where fish are feeding.
• Slip bobbers — Slip bobbers are best used when looking for farther casts and greater depth control. They slide up and down your line, from the hook to the bobber stop.

This type of bait is hard-bodied and stays hard throughout each cast. Hard baits are built from metal, plastic, or wood and have features like blades, weights, bills, and ridges to provide their action. Common types of hard baits are jerk baits, crankbaits, spinner baits, and spoons.

In-line spinner baits imitate bait fish with different degrees of flash and vibration, caused by one or more blades attached to the lure. These baits stimulate the sensory organ in predator fish that allows the fish to touch and feel objects at a distance, causing them to bite the bait.

In-Line spinners are among the classic staples fishers might eventually veer away from in favor of more flashy or trendy lures or baits. At the end of the day, this type of lure is versatile, reliable, and handy to stash in your tackle box!

Soft bait is a soft plastic lure molded into a shape that resembles a minnow, crawfish, or other creatures that will interest predator fish. You should look for soft bait that resembles the prey of the species you want to catch. Soft plastics are suitable for any scenario where you know where the fish are.

p>Fishing pliers, like the Berkley XCD Sleeve Crimpers , are another essential tool for beginner anglers. Common types include crimpers, needle-nose pliers, 90-degree pliers, and shears. They have many uses, including (but certainly not limited to):

• Removing hooks
• Cutting fishing lines or bait
• Bending hooks
• Rod and reel adjustments

Tackle boxes are typically made from heavy-duty plastic to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are more organized than bags and often have detachable compartments and trays. The core benefit to having one as an angler is that they keep your lures, baits, and other small items organized and convenient to access while you fish.

Tackle bags are a more lightweight and portable option. They also usually have more space than boxes, but may not be as organized. If you go for a tackle bag, you should look for a waterproof design to keep your gear dry.

A fish finder is a device that helps you find and catch fish using ultrasonic waves. It also offers information about the depth, speed, temperature, and fish hiding locations. It can be helpful for new anglers who don’t know much about locating fish. Popular types of fish finders include:

• Down imaging: Down imaging scans send narrow sonar beams that scan for fish directly into the water underneath your boat.
• Side imaging: Side imaging scans use short frequencies that generate detailed images but do not travel to great depths.
• CHIRP: Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse (CHIRP) sonar scans with a combination of multiple frequencies at once to produce more accurate pictures of what’s in the water.
• 360 Imaging: 360 imaging is a sonar technology that emits sound waves. These scan in all directions around the boat.

It’s always a good idea to have a cooler with you on any fishing trip! If you opt to use live bait, you’ll have a place where you can store them. On top of that, you’ll have a convenient place to store the fish you catch. You might also want to have a cooler with you to keep any snacks or drinks cool while you fish.

Now that you know all the gear you’ll need to fish successfully as a beginner angler, you’ll just need to call your buddies and plan your next trip. Before you head out to the lake, browse Academy’s fishing selections and stock up on your next new favorite tackle.