Choosing Saltwater Fishing Tackle

Trying to pick the best saltwater fishing tackle can be a daunting task for any fisherman. The first step to picking out your new tackle is deciding what kind of fishing you want to do with it. There are so many types of fishing, that I am going to narrow the field to Big Game Sport fishing (which is probably why you are visiting our website to begin with). Next, you'll want to figure out what species you are going to target, do you want the bait fish, or are you after those record Marlin? Then you can start picking your tackle, keep in mind that a lower test rating typically means a lower price, say a 20# test setup compared to a 130# setup (when comparing within the same brand). After that it is really a choice of personal preference, how much of a fight do you want? A big fish on light tackle will be a tougher battle than a small fish on heavy tackle.

You can divide your live bait and trolling tackle into three main categories: light, medium and heavy. The light tackle setup, which consists of a rod and reel, has a weight rating of 20# to 30# test. This means that you are going to be using line that has a breaking point test rating of 20# and 30# respectively. The same rules apply for medium tackle, 50# to 80#, and heavy tackle, 130#. Now these guidelines will vary slightly depending on who you talk to. One person might say that heavy tackle includes 80# setups, and another person might say that light tackle is 50#. Most of it is relative to the species you're after, but these guidelines can be considered "normal" or "standard". You can vary the fight a bit by using lighter test line in a heavier reel, for instance using a 130# reel with 80# test line. This will give you more line to work with, and a bit more challenge to the fight. As you can see, once you know the basics it really takes the mystery out of picking the right saltwater fishing tackle. Before long you'll be a pro, and you'll see how easy it is to customize your tackle to your favorite fighting style.

Okay, now that you know what size tackle you are going to use, the next big step is figuring out which brand and model you want to buy. This is the hardest part about picking out your tackle. One thing seems to the standard though, and I really hate to say it because I am an optimist and I believe that there are good deals out there. You get what you pay for. I know it sounds kind of cold and calloused to say something like that but to a certain extent it is true. There is a fine balance between features you need and the so called "gold plating".

Friends are an invaluable source for consumer reporting. You might also talk to the local fishermen and find out what their preference is and why. I personally like the Shimano brand. I've always had pretty good luck with them for my fishing needs. At any rate don't be afraid to ask around and read a few magazines. The May 2005 issue of Marlin Magazine has a really good article on saltwater fishing reels, the big boys in the industry. Articles like that are really helpful and are a pretty good place to start.

The best advice I can give you is to start at the bottom and work your way up. It works for so many things, especially in this case. This is where your own personal balance of money and features come into play. Start with the entry level reel and work your way to the high end models. When the reel begins to have additional options that would be "nice" to have, you should ask yourself if it's worth it to you for the extra money you'd have to spend. These are so many saltwater fishing reels out there that there is no real "cure all" reel, you just have to decide which is the best reel for you, your fishing needs, and your wallet. Good luck, the right one for you is out there.

The Big Game Fishing industry is in a period of growth right now and is not really showing any signs of slowing. More people are fishing, more charter boats are getting in the water, and new and improved lures are constantly hitting the market. This is great news for the local tackle shops around the world. The Internet has made this world even smaller. You can purchase specialized lures, secure a charter boat, and even get airfare to your favorite spot with the use of various online services. Saltwater fishing equipment retailers are going to be in the up swing of this market.

The Kona market is really feeling the affects of this explosion right now. Hawaii is becoming more accessible and less isolated, which is the perfect combination for growth in any area. The housing market is really going crazy right now as people start moving in, it's almost like homes are not going up fast enough. Kona is starting to become the hot spot for retirees, which means that they are also looking for recreational things to do. What better way to spend a day than out on the water catching fish that are bigger than you. The only things you need is a good boat, a fine crew, and the best tackle money can buy.

Pacific Rim Fishing Supplies is there to meet this growing need. We have nearly tripled our inventory over the past year and have added a considerable amount of clothing to our product line. We are the premier shop for all of your saltwater fishing equipment needs. Anything from rod and reel combos to sandals. We have whatever you're looking for. We are locally owned and operated and have been since the beginning, over 15 years ago. We take pride in our shop, we take pride in the Aloha spirit, and we take pride in helping our customers in any way we can. This is a growing period for our industry and we plan on doing our part to make sure it succeeds.