When you're gearing up for the start of fishing season, part of the fun is fitting out your fishing tackle box with all the essentials you might need. Whilst you're likely to remember hooks, bobbers, leaders, line and sinkers, you could forget some other critical item to you having a successful and enjoyable trip. Let’s look at the “must have’s” for your fishing trip.

Fishing Tackle Boxes - Needle Nose Pliers

The first main item you should carry are needle nose pliers. This lets you easily pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth. Be certain to pick a needle nose containing an integrated cutter. A cutter is useful for cutting off the end of a hook before pulling it out of a fish. Needle nose pliers are also terrific for crimping split shot and leaders on your line.

Knife

You’ll want a powerful knife that can be utilized for an assortment of things. A stainless steel blade is essential, along with a fairly large blade. A partly serrated blade provides you with maximum usefulness. Cleaning and preparing the fish is another reason why the blade must be sturdy. Two fine accessories to look for when choosing a knife include a scaler and hook disgorger.

File

You can use a file to sharpen both your knife and hooks, with some practice. A small triangular file works well. It’s best if the abrasiveness of the file isn’t the same on both sides. A whetstone is another option, but these are best left to more advanced fisherman.

Toilet Roll

Quite honestly, there’s just no suitable replacement for toilet paper should you need some. An entire roll of paper isn’t required. Unroll a generous amount and store it in a waterproof bag. But be sure to take plenty and you’ll probably want to include paper towels or Kleenexes in addition. If nothing else, they make great tinder should you have to build a fire.

Fishing Tackle Boxes - Fingernail Clipper

Many nail clippers already come with their own file which can be used for sharpening hooks. Use the clipper itself for clipping line.

Cigarette Lighter

It’s hard to know in advance if you’ll need to create a fire for some reason. Other uses include fixing damaged plastic worms and to stop a nylon rope from fraying.

Fishing Tackle Boxes - First Aid Equipment

A travel sized kit is best. Be sure it minimally contains bandages, a way to cleanse a wound and antibiotic ointment. An Ace® bandage and gauze pads are excellent to include. You should also carry a pain-killer such as Tylenol. Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen.

Bug Repellent

Nothing can spoil an outdoors outing quite like being annoyed by insects—so make certain to take a good, quality brand of insect spray with you that’s effective against whatever bugs you might expect to find around the water.

Easily Portable Food

Pack a few energy bars or granola bars. They are part of a good, healthy lunch—and so are raisins and nuts.

Now you can sit back, and focus on catching a whopper!