The jungle doesn't stop at big tackle for the new carp angler - far from it. Once he's finally equipped with rods and other big gear, he has to invest in small equipment to get into the fishing action. Here again, with all the fads, all the social networking news, and all the different convictions, justified or not, it's easy for a beginner to lose his head and be unable to make the right choices.
The tackle box
The tackle box is the perfect place to store the small items you'll need. This small equipment is generally small in size and can quickly get lost or mixed up... A horror when you need to use it and nothing is organized or tidy. The tackle box also has the enormous advantage of being able to accommodate pre-made leaders.
A storage kit
A small storage case will allow you to put your sinkers, your various spools... which won't fit in a tackle box.
The tackle box and storage kit are essential small items of luggage for storing and organizing small equipment. Here again, as with larger items, there's no need to throw yourself into everything that exists. To start with, you need to go for the essentials.
Essential equipment for carp fishing beginners
When I started carp fishing, a few decades ago now, the choice of small tackle wasn't nearly as extensive! So I put myself in the place of a beginner today! What a pain! To lose your head and be discouraged, because the total cost in the end will be exorbitant and therefore prohibitive. I don't think this is the way to motivate beginners, and especially young people and their parents.
Let's get down to business. Remember, it's all about making choices and having a very short list.
- Sheathed braid: the advantage of this material is that it's easy to use and allows you to create a wide variety of assemblies. A soft-coated X-Wrap is perfect.
- Curved shank hooks: they have the advantage, like sheathed braid, of being versatile. You can just as easily use them for dense, balanced or floating baits. A size 6 is versatile for beginners.
- Long anti-tangle sleeves: they will lock your leader to the swivel of the lead clip.
- Lead paste for floating fixtures.
- Bait stops: choose a bait-holding model like SB BAITS STOPPER. They are versatile and provide perfect bait holding.
- Quick Change ring swivels to insert the leader into the lead clip. This type of swivel makes it possible to change leaders quickly without cutting them. It's also economical.
- Lead lock clips. This design prevents lead from riding up the leadcore.
- Lead clip sleeves.
- Xcore leadcore in 45 lbs to make your anti-tangler assembly with lead clip.
- A seed or splicing needle. Versatile for all types of bait. As its name suggests, it can also be used for splicing leadcore.
- A pair of scissors able to cut braid.
- Leads. The choice often depends on the rods and fishing grounds, but 80/90 g bomb or flat sinkers remain versatile.
- For line body and line head wire if you have any questions, please refer to my article on the subject: Which wire to use for your reels?
That's all there is to it. With this list, you'll be ready to face many of the situations you'll encounter at the water's edge. No frills in this list. Just a selection of essentials, without breaking the bank. You'll have plenty of time to upgrade later.
