GET INTO BOAT FISHING
Not to be confused with light-line fishing, here’s how to enjoy superb sport with lighter gear
How to use balanced tackle.
LET’S GET one thing straight before I talk about light tackle. I do not mean light line. I’ve never been a fan of light-line fishing because it can often take ages to bring a decent fish to the boat, which puts unnecessary stress on it.
Added to that, there is the amount of fish lost when light-line fishing. I don’t like the thought of leaving fish swimming around trailing loads of lost line, lead weights or lures.
For me, the term ‘light tackle’ refers specifically to the rod and reel you use – not the line. I often use 30lb braid throughout the year for most of my general boat fishing, and 15lb or 20lb braid on a fixed-spool reel for my light rod and lure fishing set-ups. It’s all about the rod you use and how you use it.
Most of the fish that swim in UK waters will give a good account of themselves if you use tackle that is light enough. Instead of hauling up mackerel six at a time on a 20lb-class boat rod, why not try using a 10g lure on a 7-28g spinning rod and fixed-spool reel loaded with 10lb braid? You’ll be amazed at how hard a single mackerel can fight.
The biggest reason for over-gunning tackle in UK waters is strong tide, but even so there are plenty of tricks you can use to fish as light as possible and still land your quarry.