Tackle Frenzy - Coarse Fishing Tackle

There is a wide range of tackle available for coarse fishing, Wagglers, Avon's, Quills, Quiver tips, feeders, method feeders, shot, disgorger, shall I go on? Each type of tackle is designed for a specific purchase, Waggler floats are primarily used in slow or still waters whilst feeders are used whilst ledgering. In my tackle box (large sized 2 tier) I have a selection of Wagglers, 14 to 20 barbless hooks, mixed shot dispenser 2SG down to No. 6, disgorger, forceps, line, spare spool for my reel, fast change float adaptors and a baitpult. I also carry 3 x bank sticks, 2 for rod rests and 1 for my keep net, a keep net (10ft round) and a collapsible landing net. I have a collapsible chair (most important) and a fishing umbrella (as important as the chair when fishing in British summers) and a rod holdall. If you have read any of the other sections you will have guessed that I am primarily a float fisherman in still waters (when not boat fishing in the sea).

Floats	If you intend to float fish a number of venues from fast flowing rivers to still water lakes you will need to carry a selection of floats. Floats with a bulbous top (such as Avon floats) are uses in fast flowing water to keep the float above the ripples and make bite detection easier. Straight floats and floats with bulbous bottoms (Wagglers) are used in slower or still waters as the bulbous bottom is there to keep the line under water and the surface drag down to a minimum. they are all available in different weight settings, the heavier weights are needed for long casting whilst the lighter weights for shorter and lighter fishing. A well set up heavy float is as effective as a lighter float for bite detection so use the correct weight to cast easily into your chosen spot. I see too many anglers trying to fish light and using "beachcaster" techniques to get their float 20 yards out!
Feeders	If using ledgering or feeder method of fishing you will require a selection of feeders. Open end, closed, bait droppers, method feeders all of which have a place in ledgering. The most common types used are open or closed feeders. these consist of a plastic tube with holes in with either open or closed ends. Open feeders usually have bait such as maggots or hemp in the middle with the ends plugged with ground bait. This breaks up on impact allowing the bait in the middle to drop down attracting the fish. The closed feeder has plastic ends and the bait crawls or seeps out only whilst the feeder is on the bottom. Method feeders are a frame that has ground bait or Method bait squeezed around it and depending on the mix will either break up on impact or on the way down to attract fish. Buy a selection of small, medium with a couple of large. Fortunately as with floats these items are inexpensive.
Fishing Line	Monofilament is still the staple diet of the coarse Angler. There are other line available but these tend to be specialist, expensive and to be honest, unnecessary. As with all fishing you must match your line to your chosen quarry. Using 10lb line to catch silver fish (Roach, Rudd, Skimmers etc.) will not work as these small and delicate fish will sense such heavy line. On the other hand don't expect to land too many 20lb carp on 2.5lb breaking strain line. I have a Tectonic 5BB size 30 reel which has two spare spools (one of the reasons I chose this reel) I have 2.5lb line on one spool for light float fishing (silver fish), 4.4lb for heavier duty fishing (snags around, larger quarry feeding) and 8lb line for Tench, Bream or Chub fishing. There is braided line around and copofilament line which I would not use, even for specialist angling.
Must Haves	these items are essential items whilst fishing. You must have a disgorger to extract the hooks from the throats of greedy fish (or to put right the errant ways of the idle angler not watching his bite detector). Without a disgorger you have no choice but to cut your line and allow the fish to work the hook out. DO NOT pull a 5p hook out and rip the fishes throat out, cut it off and tie on another one and make mental note - ask Tackle Frenzy for your FREE disgorger. You need a landing net. never assume that you will not catch anything over 8oz's as with our help you almost certainly will! You cannot get the fish on the bank without one. A tackle box is essential, even if it a wooden or plastic lidded box to keep your tackle together and you cannot fish without bait so you must have bait boxes. Shot is essential whilst fishing to either weight you r float or hook length whilst ledgering.
Very Useful	Forceps make retrieving small hooks easier, especially on cold days. Baitpults make getting bait to your swim much easier than trying to through 2 gram objects 25 yards. A folding chair or stool is "very useful". A keep net is useful to have as you can keep your fish in it for a few hours if having a friendly competition with your Tackle Frenzy. Do not keep fish in them for long periods or in hot weather as they will suffer. Rod holders are also useful to allow you to place your rod down without placing it on the floor waiting to be trodden on or to get caked in mud. This item could well be an essential, an unhooking mat. Many fisheries insist that the angler has one in order to fish for their fish as these help to prevent damage to their fish.
Desirables	Pretty much everything else if you are like me and like to have all that is available in your chosen sport or pastime. There are tackle seats, rod holdalls, umbrellas, float rolls, reel bags, camouflage suits, waders bait aprons, I could go on. Get the luxuries as funds allow but buy the "Must Haves" and "Very Useful" first, no matter how tempting Desirables may look.