Just because a tackle shop sells something people assume it is good and it will work. In the relatively few very good tackle shops, that can come close to the truth. However, in most shops, the main reason they exist is to make money, and if they can sell you something, they will.
Let me give you an example: the Wal-Mart close to me in North Florida sells salmon eggs. Can someone help me understand that one? The closest salmon I know of is at the fish market!
One adage that I believe holds true is this: tackle and lures are made to please fishermen. They are packaged to catch the angler’s eye. Make no mistake about it.
Of particular interest to me is some of the terminal tackle I see on the shelves. A flexible wire leader has a large swivel on one end and a huge snap on the other. Then a small hook is attached to the snap. The wire is attached with crimps, and the entire rig smacks of some construction cable used to hoist I-beams.
I’ve seen people on piers, in the surf, and even in my boat fishing with this kind of rig. I suppose the convenience of not having to tie your own leader makes these possible. Whatever the reason, people do buy and use them.
They catch some fish on them, which makes it hard for me to convince them that they could be catching a whole lot more and usually larger fish.
Fish aren’t very smart. Large fish, however, did not get to be large by being stupid. I’ve watched the larger fish in a school, and while the smaller ones jump at any bait in front of them, the larger ones are wary. They will look a bait over several times before attempting to bite. I’m here to tell you, if that bait has a “construction cable” attached to it, the bigger fish simply swim away. I’ve witnessed it too many times in clear water and while diving,
I like to use monofilament or fluorocarbon leader material for a leader. I use as small a leader as I can possibly use. I use a hook that I can at least attempt to hide in the bait. And I try above all to make my terminal tackle as invisible as I can. You may disagree, but I can tell you that over the years it has worked for me.
Store bought tackle can work if you pay attention. There are many lures that work and work well. Color, flash and movement are the key ingredients here, not the angler’s buying habits. Fluorocarbon leader material, used properly, can help you catch the bigger fish. It just depends on your ability to think before you buy!
