Bass Fishing Gear

The rod: The rod should be 7 to 7.5 feet long, with a good backbone and fast tip.
Reel: The reel should retrieve the line fairly fast.
Line: The pound test line you use will depend greatly on the location that you fish. For general purposes it should be at least 14 pounds test for most areas.
Swivel: Use a good quality swivel and as small as possible.
Weight: Choosing the type and amount of weight to use will depend on the cover and bottom consistency.
Leader: The leader is the most disagreed upon component of the rig. For a general reference use 18 inches of leader per 10 feet depth of water.

Hear the word 'fly fishing tackle 'or 'fly fishing gear' and any fisherman's eyes light up. The words describe the equipment used for the sport of fly fishing. Now everyone knows you need the basic rod and reel for fly fishing.

You'll want to include other items in your fly fishing tackle. For bait, you'll want a variety of flies. The flies mimic the way real flies look and act in the fish's natural habitat. Just like in nature there are a variety of flies that appeal to certain fish, you'll want a variety to appeal to those in the area where you are fishing.

Lines are critical as part of your fly fishing tackle. You'll want to carry a variety of weights and types of line. This way if a large fish is in the area you can quickly switch out your line.

Now unless you're fishing from the shore or sitting in a boat, you'll want a set of waders. Waders keep you dry while fishing. Some people use knee high waders, but most prefer the convenience of chest high waders. Chest waders keep you dry under most situations when you're fly fishing.

On top of your waders you're going to need a fly fishing vest or a specialized backpack with pockets to hold the rest of your fly fishing tackle in an easy to reach location. That's why I prefer the vest to the backpack. It's just easier for me to reach lines, flies and other things out of a vest pocket. Word to the wise, make sure the pockets either Velcro or zip closed. You don't want your fly fishing gear dumping out of the pockets.

Pack some long needle nose pliers or fishing pliers as part of your fly fishing tackle. If you're fly fishing at one of the many catch and release locations you're going to need a way to release the fish without harming the fish. Catch and release is the way to keep the sport of fly fishing going. Pliers remove the hook from the fish without harm.

Now if you're doing catch and release, you're going to want a waterproof camera to document your catch. This way no one can question your story when you describe your catch.

There's all sorts of toys, gizmos and gadgets available for those of us who enjoy fly fishing. I've got quite a few and am always looking for new ones to help me fish better. I've told you what I consider to be the basics you need for your fly fishing tackle. And I won't take responsibility for any others you choose. But if you find some good ones let me know.