Fishing Tackle

Tackle should be simple

There is a huge amount of mystique surrounding 'secret' tackle and baits. Most of this is nonsense. In general, the simpler the tackle the better. A fair proportion of my fish are caught with a hook tied directly to the end of my reel line. Just a rod, reel, line and baited hook, nothing else.

Anything else on the line adds complexity and must justify its presence...

Minimal tackle

You don't need to carry a huge pile of tackle around with you — and why it's worth keeping a diary...

What size hook?

How to decide what size hook to use.

Which split shot do I use?

Five sizes cover everything.