When you think about it, fishing is an accessory-filled sport with more gadgets and gizmos than just about any other.

The endless stream of inventions introduced to help us catch fish gets more elaborate and intriguing year by year. One must ask, is a fish’s intellect really advancing at such a rapid pace?

And for every new piece of fishing paraphernalia that actually works, there would be 100 – no, maybe even 1000 – ideas that never make it off the drawing board or into production. It is therefore interesting to note which items have made it to the top of the pile – the must-have pieces of equipment or ‘tools of the trade’ – that you take out whenever you go fishing.

A knife is a must-have piece of fishing tackle. It is used for cutting bait, trimming lines and filleting fish – not to mention various safety applications, should your anchor get fouled and need cutting in a hurry for example.

On many boats I have fished on, the knife on board is of poor quality and would have trouble cutting anything. This means it’s always worth taking a knife or three with you whenever going fishing. Keep one as a bait and utility knife – a plastic handle and stainless blade are fine for this. A second knife is kept just for filleting and fish preparation; having a dedicated filleting knife ensures it is always sharp and makes cleaning fish less of a chore.

If you fish from a boat, it is smart to carry a tool kit in the event of a breakdown or for minor maintenance on the water. A couple of tools that have served me really well over recent times are a multi-tool and heavy-duty pliers. While you can’t fix every problem, they will solve many, including simple things such as removing hooks from bodies and undoing shackles on trailers. Pliers also serve as one of the best and safest hook removers.

Obviously stainless products will have a far greater life expectancy in the saltwater environment. However, to keep non-stainless tools in a usable condition, store them in a screw-cap container, the same as you would use for flares, and keep them lightly covered with CRC, Innox or WD40.

Two other tools that have become invaluable in my fishing kit are braid cutters and split-ring pliers. The main reasons for this are the increase in braid use and the need to change hooks on lures and jigs with heavy-duty split-rings.

Good tackle storage for all the accessories is not only vital, it can help catch fish. If you have a system where you can get your hands on a particular piece of tackle or a lure in a hurry, you may be able to take advantage of fleeting situations, such as a sudden boil-up of kingfish on the surface that requires a popper. If you can react quickly you may get a shot, whereas if you have to spend five minutes untangling your lure from bits of nylon and other lures, the opportunity could well be missed.

Using a combination of containers and packs makes it easy to select what tackle to take for each trip and to note what you may be low getting on. This can be as simple as keeping your sinkers in an old icecream container or using one of the commercially-made tackle-storage systems.

Hand towels and cloths have so many uses apart from wiping fishy hands. A tea-towel that has been dampened in seawater is ideal for handling fish, protecting your hands, minimising damage to a fish’s skin, fins and scales, and also making wet, flapping fish easier to hold. However, a towel wrapped around a rod butt makes a good substitute for a gimbal belt, and a fish that’s too large for a chilly bin can be covered with a damp towel to keep it cool and fresh.

Safety equipment always travels with me wherever I fish. The basics should include: a couple of means of communication; lifejackets; first-aid kit; at least two flares; and a bottle of fresh water.

I also place polarised glasses in this category, as they take care of the glare reflecting off the water that can cause headaches and, in severe cases, even irreparable eye damage. Polarised glasses also make it easier to see above and under the water, so work-ups and fish swimming below the boat are easier to spot. Finally, polarised glasses protect eyes from flying lures and hooks.

At times it may pay to carry other safety items, especially on more extreme fishing trips. It doesn’t take much effort. This applies to what you wear as well. Modern outdoor wear is really good for fishing. It will keep you warm and protect you from the sun. It is also lightweight and designed to be used in layers, making it easy to add or remove, so there’s no excuse for not being comfortable at all times. To top it off, much of it also dries very quickly.

Many good fish are lost at the boat, mainly because over-zealous anglers try to boat the fish too quickly or do not have the right gear to land their catch. Two fish-landing tools that should always be close at hand are a good-quality landing net and a sturdy gaff. Generally it is easy to net any fish under 10kg, and with a net you still have the option to release your catch. A good net should have a strong head and stout pole. If lifting a large fish in a smaller, lightweight landing net, always lift the net vertically as opposed to horizontally, as this reduces strains that may break the frame.

Landing-net bags are becoming more environmentally friendly, with some being made from rubber or much finer mesh to reduce scale, fin and skin damage. Hooks and lures also don’t get fouled so easily in the new nets, which makes the whole process a lot easier on you and the fish.

Larger fish such as kingfish, hapuku and the likes, are best gaffed if destined for the table. There is a trend towards gripping tools that lock into the jaws of larger fish. These are handy if you are releasing large fish, especially as they also allow safe hook removal.

The hooks, lures and trace we carry are very much a personal choice governed by our specific fishing needs, but there are a few must-haves that should be in every Kiwi angler’s box of tricks. These include a popper that can be cast or trolled – a model around 10cm long with sturdy hooks and split rings – as well as a hard-bodied trolling minnow around 18cm long, armed with similarly sturdy hooks and rings.

The latter type of lure is a particularly versatile trolling lure and will catch just about any sort of predatory fish. The keys to a good trolling minnow include the ability to swim straight and deep despite fish after fish eating it, as well as a body that will take the knocks from teeth and hooks rubbing against it.

While there are many good brands around, Halco, Rapala and Storm have been consistent producers over the years. The best colours for me are white with a red head, and green and gold.

A proven kahawai lure should be in every angler’s kit. The model may vary from a simple silver spoon or hex wobbler to a small shad-shaped soft-plastic lure or white plastic jig. All catch fish, but some are better suited to a particular situation or location than others. For example, some produce best when trolled, while others should be cast.

Bait-catching gear is so vital when you go fishing. This can be anything from a packet or two of sabikis (bait flies) or simply a size 14 trout hook on a spool of nylon with a little float. The ability to catch fresh bait will often convert very quickly into prize species, such as snapper, john dory and kingfish.

No fishing trip is complete without a berley contraption to disperse berley or groundbait. Berley pots that mount on the transom are great, since you can instantly convert fish frames or unwanted bait into berley. An onion sack is ideal for dispensing pre-prepared berley or store-bought frozen berley bombs. Tied to the side of the boat, they wash around with the rocking motion.

Onion sacks can also be weighted and lowered to a set depth in deeper water, so the berley releases into the right spot. Take note: unless fishing in a strong current, it pays to give your berley a good shake every five minutes or so.

‘Wobbly Pots’ also work well as berley dispensers, as they can be set at any depth and don’t need further weighting when dropped down in a current. The spring-like design, in tandem with the current, creates a wobbly action that disperses berley.

A good chillybin serves a number of functions on a fishing trip. Apart from keeping drinks cold and bait frozen until needed, a chillybin is a must for keeping your catch in prime condition. However, a chillybin can serve other functions as well. It makes a great filleting table and is a good seat in small tinnies. When not filled with ice and fish, a chillybin makes a good dry-store for cameras and the like.

While there are many more really useful bits of tackle, these items tend to be the ones you feel naked without. If building a fence, you would make sure you have a hammer, nails, spirit level and saw. You would probably need some other tools too, but that would depend on what sort of fence you were building. Going fishing is much the same: make sure you are equipped with the tools of the trade.

A chillybin keeps your catch in prime condition.

Carry at least two knives, and keep one dedicated to filleting.

A well-designed landing net can make releasing fish quicker and more effective.

Gaffs need to be sturdy and have a sharp hook.

	This article is reproduced with permission of New Zealand Fishing News 2009 - by Adam Clancey Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited