What is "fishing tackle"

Tackle \Tac"kle\ (?; sometimes improperly pronounced ?, especially by seamen), n. [OE. takel, akin to LG. & D. takel, Dan. takkel, Sw. tackel; perhaps akin to E. taw, v. t., or to take.]

1. Apparatus for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and pulley blocks; sometimes, the rope and attachments, as distinct from the block, in which case the full appratus is referred to as a block and tackle.

2. Any instruments of action; an apparatus by which an object is moved or operated; gear; as, fishing tackle, hunting tackle; formerly, specifically, weapons. ``She to her tackle fell.''
   --Hudibras.

   Note: In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows.

3. (Naut.) The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used.

   Fall and tackle. See the Note under Pulley.

   Fishing tackle. See under Fishing, a.

   Ground tackle (Naut.), anchors, cables, etc.

   Gun tackle, the apparatus or appliances for hauling cannon in or out.

   Tackle fall, the rope, or rather the end of the rope, of a tackle, to which the power is applied.

   Tack tackle (Naut.), a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails.

   Tackle board, Tackle post (Ropemaking), a board, frame, or post, at the end of a ropewalk, for supporting the spindels, or whirls, for twisting the yarns.

Fishing \Fish"ing\, a. [From Fishing, n.] Pertaining to fishing; used in fishery; engaged in fishing; as, fishing boat; fishing tackle; fishing village.

Fishing fly, an artificial fly for fishing.

Fishing line, a line used in catching fish.

Fishing net, a net of various kinds for catching fish; including the bag net, casting net, drag net, landing net, seine, shrimping net, trawl, etc.

Fishing rod, a long slender rod, to which is attached the line for angling.

Fishing smack, a sloop or other small vessel used in sea fishing.

Fishing tackle, apparatus used in fishing, as hook, line, rod, etc.

Fishing tube (Micros.), a glass tube for selecting a microscopic object in a fluid.

n. gear used in fishing [syn: fishing gear, tackle, fishing rig, rig]

Fishing tackle is the equipment used by fishermen when fishing. Almost any equipment or gear used for fishing can be called fishing tackle. Some examples are hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, baits, lures, spears, nets, gaffs, traps, waders and tackle boxes.

Gear that is attached to the end of a fishing line is called terminal tackle. This includes hooks, leaders, swivels, sinkers, floats, split rings and wire, snaps, beads, spoons, blades, spinners and clevises to attach spinner blades to fishing lures. Sometimes the term fishing rig is used for a completed assembly of tackle ready for fishing.

Fishing tackle can be contrasted with fishing techniques. Fishing tackle refers to the physical equipment that is used when fishing, whereas fishing techniques refers to the manner in which the tackle is used when fishing.

The term tackle, with the meaning "apparatus for fishing", has been in use from 1398 AD. Fishing tackle is also called fishing gear. However the term fishing gear is more usually used in the context of commercial fishing, whereas fishing tackle is more often used in the context of recreational fishing. For this reason, this article covers equipment used by recreational fishermen.