How to Build a Beginner’s Tackle Box for Fishing
Fishing out along the water is a great way to spend time in nature alone or out there with buddies. If you’re new to fishing, other than your rod and reel, a tackle box is an essential piece of equipment to have with you. It holds everything you need for a day out on the water, such as hooks, bait, lines, and tools.
Let’s sink into the 12 items you can include in your beginner’s tackle box to get you out there angling.
Picking A Tackle Box
First things first, pick the tackle box you’ll need based on the type of fishing you will be doing.
If you want to fish off the shore, a backpack-style tackle box may be for you. But a classic tackle box or clear tray will do the trick if you are fishing off a watercraft or lounging on a chair near a creek.
As for organization, some people prefer to set up their boxes based on the species they are catching or the type of water (saltwater or freshwater) they will be casting in.
My Beginner Tackle Box Kit!
What to Include in a Fishing Tackle Box Kit?
01. Fishing License
Before going angling, make sure you have your license! If you have a printed license, put it in a plastic sleeve to keep it intact. Always check to see if you’ll need a fishing license for where you’ll be casting. Some places, like Texas State Parks, do not require it.
02. Extra Line
Come prepared with extra line in case your line snaps. Fishing lines come in four main types (monofilament, braided, fly, and fluorocarbon), each performing differently. Overall, monofilament is a good beginner line to use.
03. Extra Hooks & Sinkers
Depending on the types of fish you will be catching, you will need different-sized hooks and sinkers. Sinkers will get your bait closer to the lake or river bottom to catch fish that swim in that area.
04. Bobbers
The classic red/white bobbers and slip bobbers help keep your hook and line at the water's surface.
05. Baits and Lures
Include hard, soft, spinner, jigs, and worm bait in your tackle box for the variety of fish you will target.
06. Needle-nose pliers
A good pair of needle-nose pliers in your fishing tackle box kit will help you quickly remove hooks from a fish’s mouth and cut your line.
07. Pocket Knife
If you need to cut up bait, filet a fish, or cut your line, a pocket knife is a great tool to have in your box in case you need it.
08. Clippers
Nail clippers are a small tool you can use to swiftly cut your line if you need to swap baits or cut a snagged line.
09. First-Aid Kit
Add a waterproof first-aid kit to your box. I’ve had a fish shake and sink a hook into my thumb. It was not a fun experience, but having a first-aid kit saved me when it came to sanitizing my wound and patching it up.
10. Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun! Let’s protect our skin and eyes from UV rays by packing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Plus, having polarized sunglasses can help you see fish in the water better.
11. Flashlight
If you need to see a hook in a fish’s mouth better or if you are fishing more in the evening at sundown, having a flashlight can come in handy.
12. Fish Identification Resource
This is completely optional, but if you are new to fishing and want to identify fish you catch quickly, I recommend picking up a waterproof fishing brochure and placing it in your tackle box. There are even apps like Seek by iNaturalist that you can use too!
Set Up Your Fishing Tackle Box Kit
As you continue to fish, your tackle box will evolve with you! You’ll start to discover what works best for the environment you are fishing in. The essentials will set you up for success and make your experience much more enjoyable. Snagged line? No worries, you have what you need to clip it and add new bait. Did you get a cut from handling a hook? Your first-aid kit is there to save you.
I’d love to hear about what fish you plan to catch or what state/city you are fishing in. Leave a comment!
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