Need to know what to pack? Here’s our list of our tackle suggestions but feel free to put in your own secret lures. Just remember to keep your tackle box small and easy to use.
It is IMPORTANT to note that whatever you bring you must portage – so don’t bring a lot of tackle. Ideally all your gear (minus the filet knife and pliers) should fit into a small Plano or similar tackle box. The list below is comprised of general items that have proven useful over the years. Many of the items do have suggested colors. These are only suggestions, “hot” colors change constantly so don’t be afraid to experiment. You also will want to tailor this list towards the type of fishing you plan to do, and don’t forget to throw in a couple of your own secret lures. We also highly recommend using live bait. Nightcrawlers and ribbon leeches are the easiest to use and keep alive. We do have a small tackle shop stocked with all the items listed below in the all “hot” colors.
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Spinning Rod and Reel:
Medium action rod with 6-10lb. test line, depending on your skill level and desired species of fish.
Hooks:
Live bait type with short shank in sizes 6-4
Worm hooks in 2/0 for use with plastic baits
Jigs:
Gumball Jig – 1/4 to 3/8 ounce sizes. (Northland Gumball works well)
Tube Jig – 1/8 to1/4 ounce sizes (Gitzit)
Plastics:
Leeches – 3 or 5 inch (ex. Gulp)
Twister Tails – 3 inch in White, Black and Chartruese (ex. Mr Twister)
Sencos or Dingers – 5 inch in Pumpkin, Smoke Pearl, Watermelon (ex. Yamamoto Senco or Yum Dinger)
Flukes – 5 inch in White Pearl & Glimmer Blue (ex. Zoom Salty Super Flukes)
Tubes – 3 inch (ex. Gitzit)
Plugs/Lures:
Shad Raps – #7 or #8 (ex Rapala Shad Raps)
Original Floater – #11 & #13 (Rapala Original Floater)
Husky Jerk – #10 (Rapala Huskey Jerk)
Bobbers:
Slip bobbers work great with live bait
Stringer:
One or two cord stringers work well and are compact.
Needle Nose Pliers:
For releasing fish
Filet Knife:
Self Explanatory