A fishing gear refers to any device used to capture an aquatic animal. These usually come in various shapes and sizes and are designed based on the type of fish to catch. Different fish species reside in various parts of the water, such as surface, mid-water, and bottom areas of aquatic environments, and behave differently. It is necessary to consider these factors and the kind of baits or lures before purchasing your fishing gear.
Classes of Gears and How to Use Them
Generally, gears are grouped into different categories, with each class having various kinds of fishing devices. This classification is essential because most gears are grouped into the various types of fishes they are used to catch and the different usage methods. Below are the classes of gears and how to use them:
Nets (Seines, Trawls, Dredges, Gillnets)
Nets are common types of fishing gears used by anglers. They come in different shapes and sizes, and while some are used passively in fixed positions that allow fishes to swim inside them, others are used actively, such as dragging through the water. Famous nets include trawls, dragnets, seines gillnets, etc. Trawls are commonly attached to a boat and pulled to collect fish and other aquatic organisms while in motion.
Dredges are used to rake the seabed for marine lives, such as clams and scallops. Seine nets are placed under waters surrounding a school of fish; a purse seine then drags the net while catching the fish. A gillnet is a passive net set in the water to catch any encroaching fish.
Hooks and Lines
Hooks and lines are the most common fishing gears associated with fishing. They come in various forms, including poles, handlines, and trolling lines. Hooks are typically baited with lures and sent into the water to attract those fishes that bite or swallow the hook, thereby becoming hooked in the process. They are easy to operate and can be used from a moving or anchored vessel or from the shore. Target species include mackerel, tuna, salmon, etc.
Traps
Just as the name implies, traps are fishing devices used to lure fish and other marine animals into their enclosure. Traps are most used passively and are typically baited, allowing the target species such as lobster, shrimps, cod, salmon, etc., to enter before enclosing them. Examples of traps include pots, bag nets, fixed traps, etc.
Grappling Equipment
As the name implies, grappling devices refer to handheld fishing gears that are used to target specific kinds of fish or mammals such as whales. They include harpoons, arrows, and spears used chiefly from moving vessels. Usage involves identifying the particular fish or mammal to kill and impaling them from a distance. Common fish species caught with this gear type are tunas, swordfish, flatfish, and mammals such as whales.
Stupefying Devices
These are some of the most uncommon fishing gears, and they involve the use of chemicals and explosives like cyanide and dynamite while fishing. Dynamites are used to stupefy a fish, making it come to the surface so it can be picked up. Chemicals like rotenone can also be used in stupefying a fish. These gears are banned in many countries because of their unsustainable and harmful nature.
Fishing gears are essential devices used by anglers while on fishing outings. You may consider the above gears while going on your next expedition!