Need help with universal fishing kit

[k_estela]

I am looking for a list of tackle to include in a travel fishing kit for both fresh and saltwater. I was given a travel fly rod (4 weight) and travel spinning rod (6" medium action) (Reddington and St. Croix respectively) and plan on keeping them ready at a moments notice for any trips that come up. I would like to keep the tackle box or pouch fairly light weight. What tackle do you recommend as universal or "can't go without" for both fresh and saltwater? I have a general idea of what I'm looking for but would appreciate your responses.

Thank you.

 

[paleo25]

asst of dry & wet flies and small plastic grubs

 

[YoYoMa]

The fishing kit in my survival kit fits in a 35mm film cannister and is quite basic:

-small "5 of diamonds" spoon
-2 or 3 j-hooks
-rubber grub (not sure what their exact name is)
-bunch of lead sinkers
-bunch of line

 

[crawfordew]

IIRC military survival kits used to contain white feather jigs because they were considered the closest thing to a "universal" fishing lure.
Gene

 

[Robert H]

WSI makes a great fishing kit.

http://www.wildernesssurvival.com/SurvivalKits.htm#WSI%20GOLD%20LABEL%20SURVIVAL%20FISHING%20KIT

 

[recondo4u]

Go to your fly fishing store and get some #25 size hooks they are very small, but you may need very small hooks when fishing small creeks. You can catch large fish with small hooks, but you want catch small fish with large hooks.

 

[Dr sharp]

Besides knowing what to carry, know where the fish are is a good thing. Reading thru a fishing for beginers would be a good idea. Just an idea to make emergency fishing more productive.

 

[MelancholyMutt]

I got one of them emergency fishing kits issued to chopper pilots in the military... the label states as follows...

FISHING KIT, EMERGENCY

Wt.-6 1/2 Ounces
Dim.-4 5/8 x 2 13/16 x 1 1/8 Inches
Spec. No. MIL-F-6218C(ASG)
NSN 4220-00-244-0764

List of Components
1-Fishing Instruction Booklet
1-Sturdy Plastic Case, Pocket Size
1-Packet of 8 Assorted Flies
2-Treble Hooks, Size 1
1-Straight Shank Hooks, Size 9/0
1- Leader Packet, Assorted (8 Leaders and 2 Spare Snap Swivels)
1-Nylon Line, 18lb. Test, 50 ft.
1-Nylon Line, 63lb. Test, 50 ft.
1-Assembly of Assorted Hooks
1-Assembly of Assorted Needles
1-Assembly of 8 Size 3 Safety Pins
1-Packet of 6 Assorted Spinners
1-Baby Copper Spoon
1-Large Chrome Spoon
1-Red and White Spoon
1-Illustration of Leader Knots and Hitches
1-Single Edge Razor Blade

TRA-CON, INC.
Medford, Mass. 02155

I never opened it so I have no idea what the contents look like... heck, I'm allergic to fish so I'd never get to use it anyway... But, maybe this might tell you what the military considers a complete compact fishing kit...

 

[MelancholyMutt]

Speaking of fishing... are these any good?

Automatic spring loaded fishing thingies...

 

[Cypher2001]

Speaking of fishing... are these any good?

Automatic spring loaded fishing thingies...

I consider myself a pretty avid fisherman, and I've never seen one of those. I can only imagine that its as good as a hand tied line. In other words, I can't see what benefit it would give you.

As for a fishing kit, all the ideas above are useful. I am taking the assumption that this is a "survival" based kit, and not a "car kit" for general use when you drive by some good water. This is what I have to add:

1. A size #25 hook is VERY small. Most lures are based on a #10 or #12 fishing hook. Some small midges go as low as #25. If you've never fished with a hook that small, trying when you are hungry looking for food is not the best time. Based on this chart:
LINK
You would be better off with a size #10 or #12. You can easily catch small bluegills with a size #10 hook and a piece of bait.

2. Pack extra everything. Its completely unreasonable to assume that 1 hook, 1 grub, 1 lure, and one length of line will catch you fish. Assuming you are using this as food or as a supplement for hunting/gathering you will need more than one fish. Even small fish will tear a plastic grub apart after 2 or 3 fish.

3. Line: Make sure you use a descent brand of line and rotate it every year. Monofilament line breaks down when in contact with the elements. This means that line you packed away 2 years ago is usually as brittle as glass. There is nothing worse than loosing dinner because you forgot to rotate the equipment. Also consider where you are planning to be. Most situations should call for no more than 8lb test. I would imagine that you would be luckier going with a 6lb line for survival fishing. (Bluegill, panfish, small trout, small bass). If you are planning on lake fishing, a larger test might be more in order. You never know what can grab your lure there.

4. Practice.. I can't stress that one enough. Fishing itself is such a basic idea but unless you have an understanding of how it works together, you will lose fish. The most difficult parts are learning what is a hit and what is a rock on the bottom, How to set the hook, and how to fight a fish (ie: drag setting, how not to pull when they jump, etc..)

Just some ideas I thought of.. Hope it helped.

 

[PWork]

Speaking of fishing... are these any good?

Automatic spring loaded fishing thingies...

These are also known as "yo-yo's". They are quite popular for catfish, where legal. I've never used one so can't comment on quality.

Paul

 

[longbow50]

The spring loaded reel works well. Buckshots camp has them available. The advice of having a good selection of wet and dry flies in various sizes and styles as well as the plastic grubs with appropriate hooks is an exellent one. Add some white feathered jigs, a variety of size and style of swivels, several different weights from split shot to sinkers, bare hooks from #25 up through a few of the larger sizes, a quantity of 60+# line as well as 8-12# and leader material. Powerbait works well on a variety of species, eggs are a good bet and my experience with bluegills is that they'll hit a small gold hook just because it's there

Rig your flyrod up with the appropriate backing, line and leader material. Same with your little spinner. Fill in with the spring loaded reels for extra baits that'll auto reel when hit.

Practice with your gear, especially the flyrod. Place a piece of yarn on the end of the line and practice casting it into a pan or circle from different distances. Get some books on natural baits available in different areas and times of year. Knowing where to place your line is as important as anything else. Maybe more important.

 

[45-70]

We used the yo-yo's when I was a kid, instead of trot lines. We'd tie them to overhanging cover and check them every couple hours. Worked well enough for us. I have a box of six around here someplace but have no idea about the legality here in Kentucky.

 

[longbow50]

I don't know about legality of the yo-yo reels. Here in Ca., if it's a survival situation where it's a matter of life and death, the use of otherwise banned traps and other food gathering gear is allowed. But, some of the gear, such as the gill net, are banned from possession as well and that's where they'd get us (possessed prior to the survival situation) if they decided to inforce it. It makes practicing with the gray area gear difficult too.

 

[45-70]

According the fish and wildlife guys they are legal in Kentucky

 

[TerryD]

Speaking of fishing... are these any good?

Automatic spring loaded fishing thingies...

Yo-Yo reels work great for still lines when you're ice-fishing.
They don't reel in the fish for you but they set the hook well.
I plan on triing mine out this spring, I'll keep you posted.
TerryD