How to Pick Deep Sea Fishing Gear

The Atlantic seabed, as portrayed by the London Aquarium

Having the right gear can either boost the success of your deep sea fishing trip, or (in the case of not having the right gear) bring your trip crashing down around you. Picking the gear for your deep sea fishing trip is not difficult, although it can be a little different that the freshwater fishing gear you are use to. Here is how to pick deep sea fishing gear.

Things You'll Need

• Spending money

Instructions

1. Selecting the rod that you use is the first step towards buying your own deep sea fishing gear. Unlike the fishing rods you grew up with, fishing in rivers, the rods used for deep sea fishing are much larger, thicker and a lot more difficult to break. The main decision to make is the length of the rod. Choose a long rod if you want to get your cast a little farther out in the water, or choose a short rod if you want a little extra power for bringing the fish up from the deep.

2. The next step is to select a reel to go with your rod. Deep sea fishing reels come in a variety of styles, mostly designed to cater to specific types of fishing and angling. Do not be intimidated if you see reels with multiple gear settings or other bells and whistles. Beginners can also get a simple deep sea fishing reel that allows them to learn the ropes and find their specific style, before buying a reel that is especially designed for that style.

3. After you have acquired your rod and reel, you may wish to also obtain a belt and harness. Deep sea fishing harnesses and a place built into the for the butt of the rod to be inserted, helping give you more stability and control over your rod. They are also useful for bringing in particularly heavy fish, as they allow you to pull the fish in with your entire body weight, rather than leaving your arms to do the work alone.

4. Fishing lures and baits are the remaining piece of gear that is absolutely mandatory. The number of shapes, sizes and color of lures used in deep sea fishing are limited only by the imagination. Billy Baits, Shimano and Penn are some of the most common lures. Picking one is largely a matter of personal preference, but it is good to have an assortment of styles and colors in your tackle collection. Ask locals for what type of lure works best on the fish in their waters.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are new to deep sea fishing, you can typically rent equipment from your fishing guide. Owning your own equipment is much cheaper in the long-run, but using your guide’s equipment the first couple of times will allow you to become familiar with what works for you.