Fishing reels are not something to be taken lightly in the world of fishing. That is to say, a good fishing reel is as important as the rod, the bait, the line weight and the water the fishing are waiting to be hooked in. In other words, shopping around for fishing reels should not be taken lightly and should be taken very seriously.

This has a lot to do with the fact that the fishing reel holds the line and helps the fisherman cast straight, operate the rod more efficiently and of course last but not least, ‘reel’ in the fish. A fisherman is only as good as his equipment (to a degree) and having a good fishing reel is bound to be one of the most important pieces of equipment the fisherman will ever own.

Shopping for fishing reels is a lot like shopping for shoes, there seem to be hundreds of different types of reels and thirty different manufacturers all with different reel model numbers and fishing reel styles and so-on and so-on.

The first thing to figure out is what type of fishing reel you need for the job. For example, there are centrepin reels used mainly for fly fishing. These reels are normally manual, single-action designs with a handle on the side that rotates the spool which retrieves the line. Then there is the bait casting reel, in which line is stored on a bearing supported revolving spool. The bait casting reel is mounted above the rod, hence it is also referred to as teh overhead reel.

The spin cast reel is part of the bait casting familiy of reels and it is an attempt to solve the problem of backlash found in certain bait cast designs as it attempts to reduce snares, knots and line twists in the line. The spin cast rel operation includes pressing a button on the rear of the reel which disengages the line. The button is released by the fisherman at hte correct time to allow the line to fly of the spool and then the button is pressed again to allow the fishing reel to stop the line from moving. At this point (bait hopefully in the water) the fisherman can crank the handle of the fishing reel to re-engage the line so it can be spooled back onto the reel. These types of fishing reels are great for freshwater stream fishing where the fisherman is constantly casting and re-casting in different types of currents as well as fresh water lake fishing when a spinner is being used.

There are many different freshwater fishing reels and saltwater fishing reels available on the market today.

Some of the better known freshwater fishing reel companies include Abu Garcia, Quantum, US Reels, WaveSpin, Okuma and Shimano.

Some of the better known saltwater fishing reel companies include Avet, Duel, Fin-Nor, PEnn, US Reels, Bluefin, Quanum, Shimano, Van Staal, Daiwa and Everol.

The thing to remember about fishing reels is that they are an important part of the arsenal of tools a fisherman uses to catch fish and more importantly, have a good experience fishing. It is important not to buy an inexpensive fishing reel that does not do the job and leaves you wanting more. The expression ‘you need to find the right tool for the job’ certainly holds true when it comes to fishing reels. Remember to do your homework and finding out exactly what you like and don’t like with certain fishing reels and your fishing experience will be much more enjoyable.

About the Author

John is Webmaster for SaltWaterTackleSite.com. For more information about fishing reels and fishing reel equipment go to SaltWaterTackle.Com

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Old fishing lures have timeless appeal. They take one back to a simpler time, where small craft product production was the norm. Innovation, variety and nostalgia make this hobby rewarding.

If you are a fisherman who has come across and old tackle box full of lures, you know the magic that comes from collecting old vintage fishing lures and tackle. Although the old lures may be dusty, even a little rusted, they are artifacts of a simpler time in America.

Innovation Of The Small-Scale Entrepreneur

During the golden age of fishing tackle, the late 20th century, small lure manufacturers dominated the industry. The few national brands that did exist were not really mass-marketed in the sense that we know today. Most lures were regional contraptions, made in some hardy soul’s garage or basement.

Without having to please mass-market discount stores, the small lure maker could truly innovate. Strange and quirky designs made their way onto shelves of hardware stores and tackle shops.

Heavy Lures Were The Norm

Most antique lures are large - huge, in fact by today’s standards. They were designed to be cast with the crude level-wind reels and stiff rods of the time, and were generally heavy, and ran in shallow water, or were fished topwater.

It was not until the advent of modern lines and backlash-free reels that the smaller lures we know today began to dominate.

Lures To Look Out For

When going through the old tackle box, look for wooden plugs with these names stenciled on them: Heddon, Arbogast, South Bend and Creek Chub.

Although you’ll find lures by these companies produced now, look for older, larger wood models. Lures with the original box and paperwork are considered more valuable to collectors.

Lure Materials

Old fishing plugs are made from a variety of woods, including red and white cedar, basswood and balsa, although most any hardwood could be used.

Hook technology was not as advanced as today, and you’ll most likely find rust on the hooks of older lures, unless they were kept dry.

Paint And Finish

Most vintage lures were painted with a combination of colored lacquer, followed by a coat of clear. One of the most enjoyable aspects of collecting the older lures is the variety and ingenuity of the paint patters.

Old plugs might have intricate airbrushed scale and color patterns, applied by expert craftsmen. While still attractive, this old finish probably would not survive being used regularly, so it’s better not the use these lures, but keep them for enjoyment off the water.

Revolution In Tackle Industry

In the 1970’s we saw the explosion of fishing from a cottage industry to a full-blown mass market. Bass tournaments, large catalog houses and mass market retailers have made lure manufacturing strictly a made-overseas proposition.

With the advent of the Internet, some small batch lure companies can get enough of a market to survive.

Modern Lures Aren’t As Much Fun

Although modern lures have better paint, sharper hooks and run truer in the water, they lack to romance of their older counterparts.

No mass-produced product can equal the mystique and nostalgia of the small-batch, custom made lures of the mid-to-late 20th Century.

These lures will always be popular with collectors, and are steadily increasing in value as the years go by.

I hope this article helps everyone understand the magic of antique lure collecting, a hobby that has fascinated anglers for many years.

About the Author

More Antique Fishing info here.

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Fishing rods come in all shapes and sizes, and certainly there is a big difference between salt water fishing rods and fresh water fishing rods. A good fisherman knows that finding the perfect fishing rod is the first step to catching lots of fish. That is to say, a good fishing rod is just as important as the bait used to catch the fish (if not more important). In others words, if you buy a cheap rod your chances of getting consistent and good bites becomes less likely.

Some might think this is because the fishing rod is the arms and hands of the fisherman (well, at least the extension of the arms and hands). It is the way the fisherman communicates with the water and allows the ocean or river or stream to feel his subtle attack, and of course it goes the other way too. In that, I mean the fishing rod helps the fisherman feel the ocean and the rod tells the fisherman everything they should need to know to get acquainted with the currents, aggressiveness of the fish and overall likely-hood of catching a lot of fish or none at all.

The fishing rod at first, like any other tool man uses to provide a means to an end, is going to feel strange, even if it is an expensive rod. This is because it has not become an extension of the fisherman yet. But soon enough, the fisherman knows his rod like the back of his hand, and uses it as he does his own arms and fingers; ever-so gently pulling the line, easing on the reel and creating tension, resistance and slack in order to guide the bait to the desired area (hopefully the fish).

The fishing rod is more an extension of the fisherman in streams and lakes, where the fisherman is always holding on to his rod and using it in many different varieties of water in short periods of time. Ocean fishing rods on the other hand, are going to be more useful simply as a tool for casting and pulling in larger fish. This does not diminish the importance of having a very good rod, on the contrary, it is equally important to have a good salt-water fishing rod as it is a good freshwater fishing rod. The difference has to do with what you should look for in each.

Some of the better freshwater fishing rod companies include Daiwa, G-Loomis, Sage Spinning Rods, Kistler, Frenwick, Rogue, Shimano and e21 freshwater rods.

Some of the more popular saltwater fishing rods include Cape Fear, Penn, Kistler, Fenwick, Star, Bluefin, Star, Shimano, OceanGirl, e21, Accurate Xnergy Boss & SR Rods and the list goes on and on.

No one article can provide even a fraction of all the information needed to purchase that perfect freshwater or saltwater fishing rod. Every rod is different, as every fishing rod company is different as every fisherman has different preferences and requirements.

The most important thing to remember about fishing rods, saltwater or freshwater is that it is important not to go the cheap route, and also to find the perfect fishing rod for your needs. That is to say that you need to do your homework, go out and try these rods in person, talk to your fishing buddies, try out their rods (if they’ll let you) and truly find that rod that becomes an extension of yours arms and fingers and helps you communicate with the water more efficiently.

Above all else, you want your fishing rod to help you feel the water and the currents and be easy to use with all the subtlety necessary to catch fish and have a great time doing it. There is no doubt that fishing is an art form, and having the right paint brush for the job is as important as any other part of the equation. Do your homework and you will find the fishing rod of your dreams in no time at all.

About the Author

John is Webmaster for SaltWaterTackleSite.com. For more information about fishing rods and fishing rod equipment go to SaltWaterTackle.Com

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Thanksgiving weekend turned out to be a bright and warm weekend this year. After working for most of the Saturday morning, it was high time I headed out side for some fresh air and sun as I noticed many others on the river passing by in their boasts. My office window is not far from the river, so now and then I take a peek outside to see whats going on, and also to stretch a bit which helps relieve the constant sitting at the computer working. The temperature seemed warm enough for shorts and t-shirts, so what better time than to launch my old orange canoe and get in some more fishing before the season was over.

The river is a few hundred feet from the house as I dragged the old canoe along the tallish grass field down to the water - some more good stretching and cardio exercise - yes? Into the water I slid the canoe and off I paddled, which this afternoon was easy as the current was gentle.  However it did make fishing at the same time difficult, unless I tied down the canoe to a log, tree stump, or old tree branches jutting out into the river, every now and then to get in some good casts.

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