Terminal tackle is anything attached at the end of the line in fishing. In freshwater fishing there are many different kinds of terminal tackle, and this article highlights three of the most important: hooks, sinkers and floats.
Fishing Hooks
A fishing hook, other than a rod and reel, is probably one the most recognized pieces of fishing equipment, and is an important piece of terminal tackle. Hooks are made from a variety of materials and may or may not be coated or colored.
A basic hook has these elements:
- Eye: where the line is attached to
- Shank: the straight part from the eye to the curved part of the hook
- Bend: the actual curved part
- Point: the pointed end of the hook
- Barb: the little point going in the opposite direction as the point on the inside of the hook. ‘Barbless’ hooks are hooks without this second point making it much easier to release a caught fish.
Hooks come in different styles. A ‘single’ hook has one bend from the eye with one point. A ‘double’ hook has two shanks-two bends-two points, but only one eye. A ‘triple’ or ‘treble’ hook has three shanks-three bends-three points, but only one eye. Any hook can be found attached to various artificial lures or can be fashioned by hand to them.
Sinkers and Weights
This type of freshwater terminal tackle is to give a bit of heaviness to the fishing line. This is good for different fishing scenarios. One is that the fisherman wants to keep the bait down. Another is that the fisherman wants make the bait sink faster than if the weight was off (if the bait was extra light). Lastly, weights are good if the fisherman wants the bait or other lure to fly farther out into the water when cast out. When used in this instance the fisherman gains greater ground.
Lead sinkers can be made into various shapes, sizes and weights. They can be as the types that tie directly onto the line or that can be attached to themselves without tying. Slide sinkers have the line going in through a center tube shape.
Bobbers and Floats
Bobbers and floats are generally made of plastic and come in various shapes and sizes. While plastic is the most common, bobbers and floats can also be found made from wood, cork and foam.
Fishermen use this piece of freshwater terminal tackle to help hold bait up rather than to keep it down or sink it as in the weights and sinkers can. Fishermen also use a float if the bait is to be sitting for a period of time to indicate a strike or show when a fish is nibbling or biting at the end of the line. They can also be affixed to a line at a marked point and this lets the fisherman know exactly how deep the lure or bait is in the water, since it floats at the water’s surface. Using it this way lets the fisherman scout for fish that are at a specific depth.
