It’s All About The Terminal Tackle
I know… fishing tackle has gotten so expensive that it isn’t even funny. But there are a few corners you absolutely should not cut.
Sinkers are one thing; lead is pretty much lead, bismuth, etc. That’s a given, but when it comes to the last few feet of tackle that connects you to the fish is where the small details come into play.
First and foremost, everyone has gone to fluorocarbon by now, right? If you haven’t, you should. I know this through first-hand observation. Years ago, when I started making grouper jigs, I lowered a camera to watch the reaction fish had to my jigs. I wanted to see how my jigs compared to standard bottom tackle with a triple swivel and an 8- to 16-ounce bank sinker. The observations on the visibility of different line types were eye-opening.
At depth, monofilament, though clear to the human eye, is white to fish and looks as big as a rope compared to a quality fluoro like Hi-Seas 100 percent fluorocarbon, which was almost entirely invisible.
Above : One of the swivels in the accompanying photos cost me a huge nearshore gag grouper.
Next is the swivel; I didn’t need a camera to teach this lesson. Cheap swivels (not calling any names) can break your heart in the heat of battle. One of the swivels in the accompanying photos cost me a huge nearshore gag grouper. I had it well out of the rocks and far enough off the bottom that we could see it. The rig busted at the swivel when it decided to make one more run for the rock ledge.
Moral of the story: I pay more and never even blink at the price for premium Spro swivels because when they say 130-pound, they mean it. I’ve never had any more swivel problems after I switched.
Everyone has their favorite hook brand and style, but you can’t go wrong with old faithful brands like Mustad, Eagle Claw, Gamakatsu, and Owner. There are quite a few high-quality imported hooks as well. You have to look around like I did but stick with the above ones unless you’ve done a lot of homework.
Even with all the correct terminal tackle, it is worthless if you don’t tie good knots! So buy good tackle, fish pretty baits, and tie good knots! That’s the best recipe for success.
Buying “cheap” terminal tackle is like sitting in a duck blind and shooting cheap shells. You went to a lot of trouble and expense to get the fish to bite, so take that one last least-expensive step and make sure what’s on the end of your line allows you to close the deal.
SALTWATER TACKLE YOU MAY WANT TO TRY:
7/0 and 11/0 J-Hook Chin Weights: Target fish include Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi or Common Dolphin, King Mackerel, Wahoo, and more. Easy to rig!
4 oz. Crab Decoy Jig: Target fish for Striped Bass, nearshore Drum, Snook, Grouper, west coast bottom fish, and more.
4 oz. Tuna Squid Decoy Jig: From the eastern, western, Alaskan, and gulf coasts, target fish include: Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, Fluke, Flounder, Striped Bass, Seabass, Amberjack (east coast), Yellow Tail (west coast), California White Sea Bass (west coast), Grouper, Snapper, Halibut, Ling cod, and all Alaskan bottom fish.
8 oz. - 12 oz. 10/0 Squid Decoy Jig: Catch BIG Grouper, Amberjack, Giant Stripers, and more.
