When it comes to choosing fishing equipment, it becomes a matter of personal choice. Properly using the equipment becomes a skill to be learned. I have observed so many misused gear applications that it is a wonder any fish are actually being caught.

The first thing to consider is choosing the proper rod, reel and line for the fishery chosen. It stands to reason when fishing for lake trout, which range in the two-pound category, that salmon gear is overkill. By the same token, using light trout rods to land a fresh salmon is not going to happen. Yet I have seen both of these scenarios occurring on a regular basis.

Another thing that happens quite often is using the wrong test fishing line for the application. Worse yet is the usage of old line that has been broken down by the suns rays. Simply put, this line is brittle and virtually “rotten.”

Anglers would do well to change out their fishing line yearly. It makes good sense to use heavier line for bigger fish and lighter line for small fish. There is a time when anglers are forced to use light line in the pursuit of bigger fish. That would be the case if the water is clear and, therefore bulkier line would be a distraction to fish.

Several times I have observed fishers using a spinning rod and reel upside down. The design of this equipment is such that the reel hangs below the rod and the rod line guides match by being below the rod when used.

Most spinning reels are designed to interchange the handle for right or left-handed people. Simply changing the handle to the correct side will improve the function of this set-up.

I am a firm believer that the dominant hand/arm should be in constant contact with the rod. Casting and crossing over to the other hand will put the angler at a disadvantage if a fish strikes the instant the lure hits the water. The design and proper usage of a spinning rod and reel has taken this issue into consideration.

This is not as clear with a bait casting reel and matching rod. The right-hand design will require the angler to switch hands. Conversely, this can also be a problem with left-handed people. I would maintain that a right-handed person use a left-handed set up, and a left-handed person use a right-handed set up. This will keep the dominant hand/arm on the rod at all times. It will also take into account the time needed to switch over and potentially miss the strike of a fish.

All that being said, it is one thing to have all the right equipment, it is another thing to correctly use it. I am reminded of an occasion when I had just acquired some new golf clubs. An accomplished tour player made the comment “you have some fine equipment there. Now, you are going to have to learn how to use them.”

The same thing applies to fishing gear.