Tackle Size and Color Options

Terminal Tackle means those certain types of tackle that have a chance of being lost, irretrievable or doomed to the cold watery depths below the surface. Booey Hooey! Get over it, as I have once said, "If you are worried about losing your tackle, you should not be out fishing or stop buying those expensive lures and accessories to begin with."

There are a few basic rules when it comes to the size of string, hooks, lures and other parts of your tackle. To begin with, chose a string size depending upon where you're going to be lookin' for those fish, the type of fish you're lookin' for and the size of your rod and reel you're using. If you're in fishing freshwater, you really needn't go bigger than 12 pound test, 14 if you're gonna fish in heavy cover.

The average size string used is 6 or 8 pound test. That's on a six and a half foot rod with a 10 pound test reel. 10 pound string is a well diversely sized string. The 10 lb string can stand up to average fighting in the cover and still be light enough to remain hidden and give the lure a realistic movement. Lighter string is used more for smaller sized species of fish.

Leaders in general should be 10 or 12 pound test and usually heavier than your main line. They should also be and average length of 18 to 24 inches long and a color that will blend in or disappear. Longer leaders may be needed for trolling, rivers and shore fishing. Weighted leaders should be 14 to 20 pound monofilament, preferably green.

When it comes to the color of lures, all you really need to remember is light, dark and florescent. The colors you chose depend on the natural colors of the waters you're fishin' and the weather. Sometimes different colors than what the fish usually see, work better. The same can also be said about the shape of lures used.