ACCESSORIES

As you read through this section you will see that I have highlighted certain accessories that you need for specific types of fishing. However, there are other items which every angler needs to ensure a comfortable and successful day’s fishing. Here I will cover the bare essentials, but you only have to walk around a tackle shop to see just how many accessories are marketed for anglers. Do not think you have to go out and buy the lot before you start fishing. It is simply a case of building up your tackle collection as your fishing progresses, to suit the type of fish you are targeting.

Disgorgers
Disgorgers are a vital piece of kit for ensuring that hooks can be quickly and safely removed from a fish. You will need a micro disgorger for hook sizes of 22 and smaller, and a normal-sized disgorger for hooks between size 14 and 20. For larger hooks it is much better to use a pair of forceps if a fish is hooked awkwardly. The best disgorgers are made from plastic, because if you drop them in the water they will float. Middy make one with a micro­disgorger at one end and a normal one at the other.

Landing Nets
There are many different sorts of landing nets available. For river fishing you will need one with quite a wide mesh so that the flow of the water passes through it easily and does not drag the net out of your hands when you attempt to land a fish. Fine-meshed landing nets are designed for stillwaters and you should select one to Suit the type of fish you are going to catch. Very shallow ‘pan’ nets are really for canal fishing. If you are likely to catch bigger fish, such as carp and tench, buy deeper one. Triangular, oval and round nets are all available and really the shape you choose is a matter of personal preference. Specimen nets are huge and are for the big carp, pike or catfish angler.

Keepnets
As with landing nets, there are all manner of keepnets on the market. The best choice for the beginner is to select one of around l0ft (3m) in length with a fine mesh. Choose a keepnet which has a device which allows it to be locked at various angles. Good manufacturers include Keenets, Drennan International and Waterline.

Bank Sticks
Every angler needs a selection bank sticks into which he can screw rod-rest heads, bait trays, keepnets and the like. The best bank sticks are extendible and have a tough, solid point which pushes easily into the ground. The best I have seen are the Dinsmores Arrow Points. Do not be tempted to use a bank stick as a handle for your landing net; buy a purpose-designed landing-net handle instead.

Catapults
If you are fishing mote than about 15 fret (4.6m) from the bank you will need a catapult to feed the swim. You can buy pole catapults for feeding accurately up to about 50ft (16m), match catapults for waggler fishing up to about 80ft (25m), and groundbait catapults for firing balls of roundbait up to 100ft (30m). I use catapults made by Drennan for loosefeed, and by Seymo for groundbait.

Seat Boxes
You are going to need something to sit on while you wait for a bite, and for beginners you cannot beat the plastic seat boxes made by Shakespeare and Daiwa. They have comfortable carrying straps, plenty of room for your tackle inside and you can also buy trays that fit to the side of them into which to put all your bits and pieces of tackle. You can also get your local tackle dealer to fit Octoplus levelling legs which can be a teal boon on sloping banks. If you make progress in your angling, you might want to buy a more expensive continental’ box. These have integral levelling legs and integral side and front trays for your bits and pieces, and cushioned seats. Many can have wheels fitted to ease those long walks along the bankside. Good makes include Boss and Brilo.

Split Shot and Olivettes
Split shot are used to weight your float down so that only a little piece of the tip is showing above the water. Sizes are (from largest to smallest): SSG, SG, AAA, AA, BB, 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. The larger sizes are placed around the base of the float to make up about four-fifths of the total weight required, with smaller shot, such as 8s, strung out beneath. For many pole-fishing situations, most of the weight is placed in a bulk about two-thirds of the way down the line with a couple of tiny shot strung out beneath. Instead of using shot for the bulk, you can buy olivettes which are measured in grammes. In their larger sizes, split shot are also used for link legering.

Rod Rests
These are another essential item of equipment for all types of angling. For legering, the best are those with several rod grooves, as they allow for careful setting of the quivertip. For float fishing, those with a soft band on which to place your rod are the choice as these help to protect your rod.