Anglers today have a dizzying array of options when it comes to all things fishing. Super realistic lures, line that “disappears” in the water, “spot lock” trolling motors that hold boats in place, and fish finders that spot fish under, as well as 360 degrees around, a boat. 
There is a plethora of gear lining the shelves of tackle shops meant to dazzle and lure anglers. Even the basics like line and hooks come in many forms and colors, each promising the angler an advantage over the fish.
In truth, experience has taught me there’s no special magic to finding the right gear for angling success. Instead, I’m convinced that concentrating on a few basic, time-tested techniques will improve the luck of even the greenest angler. Whatever fishing means to you, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Actually, I would go as far as saying, the less complicated it is the better your chance of success.
Fishing means different things to different people. To some it’s the simple pleasure of being on the water with friends and family and “catching” is optional. To others, it’s serious business and the outcome can make or break a day. Whatever your reason for being on the water and pursuing fish, a strong foundation will support your growing interests. Start by knowing the best tackle for the type of fishing you do. Pick the best quality tackle you can afford, but not the most expensive available. I’m talking about gear that is properly sized, solidly made, and therefore able to survive the rigors of saltwater. Whether you’re using spinning tackle, fly tackle or bait casting gear, get an outfit that’s balanced. A balanced outfit means that the weight is evenly distributed when held just forward of the reel on the cork of the rod. This isn’t an exact science, but you’ll be able to feel if one component is too large.
An appropriate outfit is one that is up to the task of catching the fish you’re targeting, but no heavier than necessary. An 8- to 10-pound rig is perfect for snook, trout, redfish and other inshore species while a 20- to 40-pound outfit would be better for anglers hunting kingfish and cobia along the beach or bottom fishing for grouper, snapper or amberjack over offshore ledges and wrecks. The line should also match the outfit you’re using and should fill the spool of the reel. The most common problem I see is reels with too little line that’s too heavy. This severely hampers the angler’s casting ability. Begin with the basics and then let your interests expand where they will.
When it comes to deciding whether to use live bait or artificial lures I think artificial lures are a better choice, especially for beginning anglers. First and foremost, they are a lot easier to deal with than live bait. Live bait takes time to acquire, must be kept healthy and usually stays close to where it’s cast. Artificial lures, by contrast, don’t have to be changed often and can’t be killed or crippled by pests like pinfish. You can cover more water, testing different areas, water depths and retrieval speeds. My personal favorite is a jig, and while I now use mostly lead-headed jigs with plastic bodies, the original lead head jigs with bucktail skirts are still a great choice. My second choice would be a topwater plug. These lures require a bit of practice to master but are recommended because they cover a lot of water, and they attract fish with their sound and surface disturbance. Best of all there’s nothing more exciting than seeing a snook or big trout smash a lure on the surface. While admittedly, live bait can outperform artificial lures at times, on balance I think lures are a better choice overall. Whatever you use I highly recommend bending down the barbs on all hooks. Better for the fish, safer for the angler! Start with the basics and build a foundation in angling that will serve you for a lifetime.
