Packable Tackle
Fish more seems a good New Year's resolution. If you don't fish or, even worse, you find fish but left your tackle at home, you miss out on pleasant, low-cost recreation that can make a critical difference on long trips where a short break rests and refreshes. A typical fisherman spent 20 days on streams, lakes and bays. So you know someone is finding fun, and all you need to join this happy crew is some tackle and a nearby body of water.
Since nobody catches fish if their tackle is home, "packable tackle" that stores in your vehicle lets you enjoy fresh and light saltwater fishing without busting your budget. A solid, flexible choice for beginners, compact outfits suit experts as backpack or backup tackle too, but they do have one small drawback. They eliminate the "I left my tackle home" excuse for getting skunked. Of course, if you own decent tackle and know or are willing to learn a few basic techniques you will rarely get skunked. The keys to a good catch are tackle that's ready when you find fish in your travels and a few basic casting and rigging skills, plus a basic knowledge of fish behavior. As full-time outdoor and travel writers, my wife and I fly a lot, and fishing turn up at odd times in odd places, such as the bridge in downtown Boston where I caught big bluefish last summer on my way to Old North Church. Of course, we missed the first service, and I must have looked a little silly fishing in a suit, but those blues sure were fun to catch1 Fishing breaks also help blow away travel cobwebs on business trips.
Do realize that, as with photo equipment, good gear assures quality results but only beginners pay list price. Tackle is widely discounted. Shop wisely and you can save 30 to 50 percent. I've found the lowest prices either in mail order catalogs you can order through fishing magazine ads or in discount stores where tackle from "nam" manufacturers such as Garcia, Diawa, Fenwick, Shakespeare and others offers roughly equal quality in any given price range -- plus the access to parts and repairs you might find expensive with off-brand gear.
While blister-pack beginner's outfits can get you started, a spincasting, casting or fly rod that breaks or telescopes down into a 14-inch or 16-inch package to fit luggage makes tackle "packable." Spinning lets you cast small lures or baits best and is the typical all-around choice. Spincasting suits children and those who enjoy minimal casting fuss at the price of limited casting range and line capacity. Baitcasting allows heavier lines for larger fish and trolling without line twist. Flycasting magnifies the fight of small fish and provides its own special pleasures if you have time to practice casting skills.
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