Army Surplus Fishing Gear

Army surplus stores can carry different items from one store to another and some of them carry fishing gear. The primary items you will need for fishing are a rod and reel, a selection of tackles, a tackle box, fishing accessories and a fishing permit. The store can help you with all except the last item.

Bait is one thing you will need to select if you are using a rod and reel. You can use either live or artificial bait. Some types of live bait include large earthworms, minnows and crickets. If you plan to use live bait, you should purchase it nearby to where you plan to fish at a bait or tackle shop.

Artificial bait can be purchased at an army surplus store. In this case, there are more choices and the kind you need depends on several factors. Baits that are like bugs, flies and other small insects are known as spinner bait and are very inviting to fish. They attract the fish by means of their spinning action when reeled in. Baits that are like small fish and minnows are called crank bait and vibrate when reeled in that resemble natural movements that are attractive to fish. If you plan to go fly fishing, then a special type of bait called flies are used which attract the fish by being hit on the water repeatedly. Army surplus stores carry trout bait which can be dough balls or salmon eggs as well as bait attractant that provides an additional lure to fish. To round out what you carry in your tackle box, you should also consider having some small plastic worms and other similar bait as when you go fishing there is always the need to determine what type of food the fish will bite at on any given day.

Tackle boxes are what you use keep all your fishing gear and several varieties are available at army surplus stores. There are basic and simple tackle boxes as well as more elaborate ones that come fully equipped. You have to make sure that the box is made of material that will prevent the plastic worms and grub from getting sticky when the tackle box is out in the sun for long periods of time. You also have to consider the size of the tackle box. A large one with many fold-out compartments may be just what you need to carry all your gear, but you have to look at the practicality of carrying around something large while you are fishing. On the hand, you want to avoid something that may be small and compact but cannot handle all your supplies.

A well-stocked tackle box should include different weights of fishing line. Fishing line is tested by the pound, so a line with a higher number is thicker and heavier than that with a lower number. An eight pound test is satisfactory for most fishing needs. The tackle box should also include heavy duty nail clippers for cutting lines, needle nose pliers, a knife, sinkers, extra hooks and a first-aid kit that is restocked on a frequent basis. Many of these items can be found at an army surplus store.