Going fishing, what do I need?

Fish?

So a spinning rod and reel. I'm just re-kitting myself out too. Found a tackle box up in Whitney Portal campground years ago. Time to put that stuff to use. Are you thinking fly and bubble?

And a quiet place to fish, away from Doug.

Some hooks and line and flies or bait. Then find a stick. My kit weighs .9 oz and it works.

If the goal is to build out a cool fishing kit that's versatile, effective where you want to use it and as small and light as possible while meeting the primary goals, I can give you suggestions based on what works for me and mine:

–Your lightweight spinning reel and rod, lined up with 4lb. If the line on your reel is old, go down to a sporting goods/fishing shop and have them wind new line on: softer, smoother, less spiral/kink and you don't have to stockpile line in your box. Expect $4 for one reel.

–2 "clear bubble bobbers". I use the all-clear cheapos, but the really cool one is shown here: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/users/brookieflyfisher/blog/the-fly-and-bubble-98026.aspx

–2 or 3 snelled hook leaders. 12" of 2lb. with a single-barb hook. You can clamp/cinch your barbs if you like, but these are super convenient for using a float-bait rig in shallow lakes with a little clamp-on weight just above the loop.

–Selection of small flies, such as the red-ant, mosquitos with red in them and maybe a couple of teeny ones with little pieces of red foam (no-sink) in them. These are used with the bobbers for the "bobber and fly" setup, particularly during "the rising" at sun-up and dusk. I carry mine in a take-out taco sauce container and many local fly-sellers will give these out, too.

–3 lures: a) the red Buoyant in 1/6oz or so (http://www.gofastandlight.com/Thomas-Buoyant-Gold-Red-Hammered-Finish-Lure/productinfo/FI-TBGRH/ ); b) the small Panther Martin gold spinner and c) a small Kastmaster silver or silver-red (for casting in a breeze). Use these after the fish-rise for bugs is over and especially if you have a good idea where the fish are hiding. I cut off the plastic bubble with paper backing to store them w/o getting hooked.

–1 pack of Powerbait plastic worms ( http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/15500/berkley-berkley-powerbait-floating-trout-worms-reviews/reviews.htm ), I suggest WHITE. Use these on the snelled hooks for a bottom-weighted floating bait rig/cast-n-wait approach or… extend the clamp-on weight 30" or so up the line from your hook, set up the worm so it spirals through the water on retrieve and these make a fantastic lure. Brookies go nuts.

–Selection of small-to-blueberry sized clamp on weights. 6 or 7 ought to account for losses that can happen.

–tool to de-hook your fish quickly, particularly for Catch-n-Release. I use a small hemostat, which doubles up for my knot-tying needs.

–small, sharp knife

–1 quart ziplock to hold it all, along with your reel.

Eric – Thanks for taking the time to post an excellent response, I took detailed notes and will hit WalMart tomorrow.

Doug – Thanks for playing. ; )

I just printed it out. ;-p

Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent and detailed response!

Some other options: 2-3 small swivels used with you lures(tied on infront of lure so your line doesn't twist up, a few split shot sinkers ,a small amount of salmon eggs instead of power bait( i don't like the stuff but i respect peoples choice to use it because it works), and the lures i like are mepps gold/silver size 0 for small trout. Sometimesthe fish are down deeper so the sinkers are nice. I really like fly fishing now. Have fun. It can be so relaxing on the lake in a canoe early in the morning.

Bring some toothpicks to keep your float in place and adjust fishing depth.. small foam slip through/inline floats work better for sit-and-wait, lake fishing.

My float set-up: Float, weight to balance float, bead (optional), barrel swivel, 2 foot leader, hook.

Buy the smallest barrel swivels you can find. I like black/dark colors.

I prefer to use slip through weight or pencil lead. Buy a coil and cut to size.

And try Rooster Tails spinners, 1/8 oz size. Especially the yellow/green/orange black dotted one (yellow feather tail) that I think looks like a tiny rainbow trout.

For best results with spinner, cast, wait/count to let spinner go to desired depth, rod tip near water down at an angle, give a jerk and start reeling slowly, vary speed etc to get the spinner spinning to tick off the fish.

Also the large sized floating power bait salmon eggs work well if you plan to bottom fish. I find the Power Bait chartreuse eggs/3" trout worms work best for me.

Bottom fishing set-up: Slide through/inline weight, bead (to protect knot), barrel swivel, 4-6 foot leader, hook.

I also like sickle hooks.

BTW: Obviously, if you plan to use power bait/or any bait to fish for that matter, count on eating the fish because they really swallow the hook if it's working that day. I find wild fish like to chase, so flies and lures may work better and optimal for C & R.

Way too much stuff.

I consider myself an expert fisherman. Not trying to brag just trying to set the tone (I almost was a professional bass fisherman before going into CompSci when I was younger).

For the Sierra Nevada trout areas, if trying to go ultralight, you just need a spinning rod and reel.

I think fly rods are overkill.

Pack in six spinners… 3 lighter weight and 3 heavier weight (in case you are in heavier current or deeper water). Panther Martin's work well.

When you buy then take a pair of pliers and push down the barbs. You will catch PLENTY of fish and you avoid killing the smaller fish when you can't get the hooks out.

If you *want* carry a barbed spinner for emergency/life threatening situations where you are lost and fishing for for and a lost fish means a lost dinner.

A pair of forceps is nice too.

And thats it…

I would STRONGLY recommend against bait. It is illegal in most places (for trout) and isn't needed. The fish will swallow the hook and die.

Also, if you kill a fish, for whatever reason, you keep it. It counts as part of your take. This is one reason keeping fish alive and healthy is important.

Another pro tip. Never put your hands in their gills. Never take the fish out of water more than necessary if it was a long and hard fight. It will have a harder time recovering (imagine running a mile and then not being allowed to breathe after).

Onward!

Also, pro tip.

Put your lures in an old ibuprofen/aspirin bottle. The child safety lock will prevent the lures from coming open in your kit and hooking you.

They're also light weight and you can just dump your lures on the ground and pick which one you want and put the rest back.

Sometimes I take two, one for each weight class.

for backpacking (spinning) I like 2# test, most of the high lake trout are smaller and if the rare big one hits you can still get it in w/ a little finesse (and maybe a little luck)

my tacklebox is small plastic tube that holds four 1/32oz Panther Martins and about six small number 12 hooks on the rare instances I have to scrounge live bait. I improvise a bobber if need be.

I do think a bubble and a few select flies are not a bad idea, I’ve always had good luck w/ the spinners (and occasional live local bait) that I haven’t thrown any in

I do admit I’ve been tempted by the Tenkara movement though

I’d also be remiss as a game warden not to mention check into what license(s) are needed and what the specific regulations are for the body of water you’re fishing- we do get into the high country to check :)

this is my whole kit (including a 1 ounce grill for the fish :))- the “tackle box is sitting on the mesh bag

This is all I need. Keep it simple!