As you plan for the emerging fishing season, part of the enjoyment comes from setting up our your tackle box with the things you’ll need to catch a whopper. Though it’s unlikely that you’re forget hooks, bobbers, leaders, line and sinkers, you could forget some other critical item to you having a successful and enjoyable trip. These are a handful of items that are essential equipment for any angler.

Fishing Tackle Boxes – Needle Nose Pliers

These make a terrific addition to your fishing equipment. Pliers will allow you to quickly take the hooks out of your fish. You should select pliers with an integrated cutter; this is useful for cutting off the hook’s end prior to taking it out. They are also terrific for crimping split shot and leaders on your line.

Knife

Choose a sturdy knife that you can use for a variety of tasks. A blade made of stainless steel is crucial, together with a moderately big blade. A partly serrated blade provides you with maximum usefulness. Cleaning and preparing the fish is another reason why the blade must be sturdy. A couple of excellent additions to have on a quality knife are a scaler and hook remover.

File

A file will help keep hooks sharp and, with a bit of practice, keep your knife sharp. Select a little triangular shaped file with varying levels of coarseness on both sides. A number of fisherman like using a whetstone better, but these take more practice than a file.

Toilet Roll

Quite honestly, there’s just no suitable replacement for toilet paper should you need some. You don’t actually have to take a complete roll with you. Unwind a good amount and seal it in a plastic bag. But be sure to take plenty and you’ll probably want to include paper towels or Kleenexes in addition. If nothing else, they make great tinder should you have to build a fire.

Fishing Tackle Boxes – Fingernail Clipper

Many nail clippers already come with their own file which can be used for sharpening hooks. Use the clipper itself for clipping line.

Cigarette Lighter

This is a great item in case you need to quickly build a fire. Lighters are also handy for melting the ends of a rope to avoid fraying and to fix messed up plastic worms.

Fishing Tackle Boxes – First Aid Box

A portable kit that fits inside a pocket is your best option. Be sure it minimally contains bandages, a way to cleanse a wound and antibiotic ointment. Gauze pads and an Ace? bandage are good items to add to the kit. Be certain to take aspirin or some other analgesic with you. Sunscreen is essential as well.

Bug Repellent

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than being swarmed by bugs, so be sure to take the appropriate repellent with you.

Travel-Size Snack Food

Take something like granola bars or something for quick energy. Nuts and raisins can also make for a nourishing lunch.

Once you’re gear is all squared away, you can think about how to catch a nice, big fish!