New Angler Guide: Selecting The Right Gear For Freshwater Fishing In Florida

February 3, 2025

Choosing Your Fishing Gear

With your targeted species, fishing location, and technique in mind it is now time to choose the best fishing gear to suit your needs. As a new angler, you want to buy the gear that will serve a wide range of purposes and strategies since you might need to fish a few different ways or for a few different species before you really find where your passion lies. We will discuss how to select the right gear to achieve this. Here are the essential products you will need to get started:

Rod & Reel Combo
Fishing Line
Hooks
Baits & Lures
Pliers & Scissors
Tackle Bag

Rod & Reel Combo

What is a Combo?

A rod and reel combo is simply a fishing rod and reel that are sold together, pre-matched for optimal performance. This is a great way for beginners to simplify the process of choosing gear, as the combo is designed to work well together. The reel is mounted on the rod, and the two are balanced to provide the best experience for casting and reeling in fish.

Rod Characteristics:

Length: The most common rod length for a beginner is between 6'6" and 7'. This gives you a good balance of casting distance and control. Longer rods (7' or more) are good for casting long distances, while shorter rods (under 6') are better for precise casts and smaller areas like ponds or tight spots.

Action: This refers to how much the rod bends. Common actions include:
- Fast action: The rod bends mostly at the tip, offering more sensitivity and precision for things like bass fishing with lures.
- Medium action: More bend throughout the rod, which is good for a variety of fishing techniques and species.
- Slow action: Bends more throughout the rod, which is good for soft bites or when you're fishing with live bait.

Power: Power refers to the rod's stiffness or strength. Rods typically come in light, medium, and heavy power ratings. For general freshwater fishing in Florida, a medium power rod is a solid choice.

Reel Characteristics:

Drag System: A reels drag system is what keeps the line from breaking when it is under tension while fighting a fish. The line will release from the reel or "pull drag" until the fish gets tired and the angler is able to reel in the fish until it is landed. The drag can be adjusted on the reel from no drag-max drag. For freshwater fishing in Florida, 10-15 pounds of max drag is our recommendation and will cover most species with no problem.

Refers to how many times the spool turns for each full crank of the reel handle. It’s usually expressed in a ratio, like 5.1:1, 6.2:1, etc. The important thing to know is the higher the ratio, the faster the retrieval. This may become important when utilizing the reel for certain advanced techniques like "walking" topwater baits. A Gear ratio in the 5's is our recommendation for new anglers as it serves as a mid range and can serve multiple purposes.

Line capacity: Refers to how much fishing line a reel can hold. It’s important because the more line you can store, the farther you’ll be able to cast without worrying about running out of line or while fighting a fish that is pulling a lot of drag although this is uncommon in freshwater fishing. The higher the line capacity the bigger and heavier the reel will be so it is important to find a good balance.

Bearings: The bearings inside a reel are the parts that allow the spool to rotate smoothly. More bearings generally mean a smoother retrieve, but it doesn't necessarily mean the reel is better. A basic reel might have 2-4 bearings while a higher end reel may have 7-12 bearings.

Types of Reels:

Spinning Reels: These are by far the most beginner-friendly. They're easy to use, offer smooth casts, and have a simple design. For freshwater fishing in Florida, a 2500 or 3000-sized spinning reel will work well for bass, panfish, or even catfish.

Baitcasting Reels: These are more advanced, typically used for heavier lures and larger fish. While they offer more precision, they require more skill to avoid backlash (when the line tangles on the reel). They’re not ideal for beginners.

Spincasting Reels: These reels are a bit of a mix between spinning and baitcasting. They're easier to use than baitcasting reels but not as popular as spinning reels for general freshwater fishing. These reels are great for kids or fishing for smaller species due to the usually low drag rating.

Fishing Line

Line Types:

Monofilament Main Line: This line floats in the water and is great for top water and shallow-medium diving crankbait applications. It generally comes in a clear or green color and is great for lure presentation due to its transparency. It is usually thicker in diameter than fluorocarbon and braided line with the same weight rating. Its advantage lies in its stretchy nature which helps with shock absorption when a fish strikes the bait or lure. It also tends to cast further because it has less memory than fluorocarbon.

Fluorocarbon Main Line: This line sinks in the water and is great for deep diving crankbaits and finesse fishing techniques due to its transparency, strength, and sensitivity. It has less stretch than mono giving it less shock absorption and more memory when casting, but overall this line is great for getting your bait down and fighting fish to the boat.

Braided Main Line: This line is floats in the water unless a weighted is applied as most anglers will do to get this line down. This line is strong and great for ripping through heavy cover and pulling bass out of vegetation. It also helps with abrasion resistance when fishing structure due to its woven strands of high-strength fibers like Dyneema or Spectra. Although this line is easily detected in the water, anglers utilize this line when flipping through cover or fishing lily pads and often add a flourocarbon leader to help with a stealthier presentation.

Fluorocarbon Leader: Leader material is utilized by tying a 3-6 ft piece to the end of the main line for multiple reasons. It could be tied to mono to help get baits down further and help with abrasion resistance , tied to braid for stealthier presentations, or used to tie specific knots to a main line that may not support the desired knot due to diameter. This line is great for increasing hookup rates with finicky or "spooky" fish because it is virtually invisible underwater.

Hooks

Basic Hook Types:

Worm Hooks: Common worm hooks are wide gap, twist-lock and offset hooks. These hooks are generally Texas Rigged and are the hooks we recommend for new anglers. You can use a wide variety of soft plastic worms and stick baits on these hooks making it a very versatile option for multiple presentations.

Finesse Hooks/Jig Heads: Common finesse hooks include dropshot hooks, ned rig hooks, shakey head hooks, and football jig heads. Finesse hooks are great for stealthy, "low and slow" presentations. These hooks are great when paired with stick baits and straight tail worms.

Swimbait Jig Heads: These hooks are paired with soft plastic swimbaits to provide the weight needed for a stable swimming pattern from the swimbait and also provides the weight to improve casting distance. Choosing the right weight will ensure the bait is swimming at the proper depth needed for the target species, water depth and structure being fished.

Weights

Weights are utilized to suspend baits or bring baits to the bottom in moving water or for baits that are otherwise buoyant and would stay on the top of the water without them. Here are basic weights new anglers need to be familiar with:

Bullet Weights: These weights have the appearance of a "bullet" and are primarily used with Texas or Carolina Rigs. This is an ideal weight for new anglers fishing with worms and can be utilized in multiple presentations and techniques.

Splitshot Weights: These weights are generally used when fishing with live bait like live worms, shiners, and minnows. They can be pared with a bobber to suspend live bait with precision and come in multiple sizes for keeping your bait at the desired depth.

Baits & Lures

Although there are a seemingly infinite number of different baits and lures, we will narrow the list down to the top 5 baits we recommend for new anglers:

Crainkbaits: Popular crankbaits include lipless, shallow diving, and medium diving baits. Lipless crainkbaits are great for new anglers because they offer a wider variety of applications and are easier to use to target most species. These baits come in an endless variety of colors and are utilized by casting them to a target area and reeling them in at whatever speed the baitfish in that body of water is moving at.

Soft Plastic Baits: These baits are a new anglers best friend. They are easy to use and very effective. Use soft plastics on a Texas rig and you won't have to worry about getting snagged on structure. Pair them with finesse jig heads to create a stealthy presentation. You can create multiple presentations with different soft plastic baits with the endless variety of colors and physical attributes available. Popular soft plastic baits are stick baits, U-tales, straight tales, frogs, and speed worm (U-vibes).

Jigs: Similar to crankbaits, these baits just need to be tied on to your line and no other rigging is required unless you choose to add a trailer to enhance presentation. Jigs are great for ripping through cover and fishing structure do to there built in weed guard. They come in various weight sizes to suspend the bait or bring it to the bottom for "low and slow" presentations. Anglers often use jigs to pitch into thick cover and pull out the big fish.

Topwater Baits: These baits are utilized by dragging, popping, or walking them across the surface of the water. It is an exciting way to fish because you will see the fish strike the bait and make a big splash in the water. Top water baits are great for early mornings or late in the evening close to the shoreline. Popular topwater baits include hollow body frogs, poppers, walking baits, and weightless speed worms (U-vibes).

Spinner/Chatter/Buzz Baits: These 3 baits are different in construction but the primary objective is to provide some flash and entice a reaction strike. They come in various weights and sizes for different levels of suspension. Fish this bait by casting it out over beds or ledges and retrieve it at a medium-quick speed to create a reaction strike. Similar to jigs, you can add a trailer to enhance presentation. Some anglers will trail it with a swimbait to make it appear as if a baitfish is chasing food. Bass can't resist!

Selecting Bait/Lure Colors Depending On Weather Conditions

Certain colors perform better in different weather conditions and water clarity. Here are a few tips when selecting bait colors:

Sunny and Clear Water

In clear water, fish can see your bait or lure clearly, and they are often more cautious, especially in bright sunlight. The goal is to use natural, subtle colors that mimic the local forage. Avoid bright or overly flashy colors, as they may spook fish.

Best Color Choices:

Shad Patterns (Silver, White, Pearl): These colors resemble the most common baitfish and are highly effective in clear water during sunny days. Fish are naturally drawn to them, especially if they're feeding on baitfish like shad or minnows.
Green Pumpkin: A natural color that works well in many environments, green pumpkin resembles crawfish or small baitfish. It’s a great all-around color that won’t be too intrusive in clear water.
Watermelon: Another natural color that mimics small baitfish, crawfish, or other aquatic creatures. It’s a great choice for finesse techniques in clear water.
Clear or Translucent Baits: These colors are ideal for finesse fishing, as they look very natural and blend well with the surroundings. When fish are wary, subtle and clear baits give the most realistic presentation.

Sunny and Murky Water

When the water is murky or stained, visibility decreases, and fish rely more on their sense of vibration and movement. During sunny days, the bright light will add to the murkiness, making bold colors that contrast the water's muddiness a good choice.

Best Color Choices:

Chartreuse: This bright, vibrant color stands out in murky water and is easy for fish to spot, even in poor visibility. It's particularly effective in stained or muddy water during bright, sunny conditions.
Bright Orange: Like chartreuse, orange is highly visible in murky water and creates a strong contrast against the darker surroundings.
Black and Blue: This combo creates a bold silhouette that fish can detect through the murkiness. The contrast of black and blue is ideal for jigs or soft plastics when fishing in murky water.
Red or Crawfish Patterns: Red hues work well in murky water, particularly if fish are targeting crawfish or other creatures that are prevalent in the area. These colors are also great for mimicking distressed or dying baitfish.

Cloudy and Clear Water

Cloudy days reduce the amount of direct sunlight, which can make fish less cautious and more willing to strike. In clear water, the reduced light allows for better movement and visibility of colors, so you can use a wider range of color options.

Best Color Choices:

Shad Patterns (Silver, White, Pearl): These colors work well in clear water on cloudy days, as fish are still targeting natural baitfish. The cloudy conditions allow fish to focus more on the movement of the bait and less on the brightness of the colors.
Green Pumpkin and Watermelon: These subtle, natural colors mimic crawfish and other small forage fish that bass tend to feed on. They work especially well when fish are holding in shallow areas or near structure.
Natural Browns and Greens: These colors can match the forage in the area, especially if you're fishing around rocks, vegetation, or mud bottoms. They're great for finesse presentations like Texas rigs or drop shots.
White or Bone: These are also good options for mimicking shad or other small baitfish, especially if the water has a slight stain to it but is still relatively clear.

Cloudy and Murky Water

In murky water on cloudy days, visibility is at its lowest, and fish rely heavily on their lateral line and the vibrations produced by your lure. Bold, high-contrast colors that can create more vibration and visibility are the most effective.

Best color choices:

Chartreuse: Bright, high-visibility colors like chartreuse continue to perform well in murky water, as they are easy for fish to detect through vibration and contrast.
Black and Blue: This combo works incredibly well when visibility is low, as it provides a sharp contrast that fish can follow. The black helps create a solid silhouette, while the blue adds a slight touch of natural color.
Red or Crawfish Patterns: Red can be an excellent choice in murky water, especially if fish are feeding on crawfish or other bottom-dwelling creatures. The color stands out against the water and is a good signal to fish that something is nearby.
Bright Orange or Pink: These colors are eye-catching and create a strong contrast against murky water, making it easier for fish to detect your lure. They're great for bass, and other species that rely on their lateral line more than their vision in poor visibility.

Pliers & Scissors

Be sure to bring at least a pair of pliers with you, preferably with a cutting feature. If your pliers don't have a cutting feature you will want to grab a pair of line cutting scissors to trim knots or cut the line for lure swapping or situations where your bait or lure gets caught.

Pliers:

Needed for removing hooks from fishes mouth or deep hook situations
Assist with rigging and knot tying
Helps with hook removal from teethy fish like Gar that you may encounter

Scissors:

Great for rigging and knot tying especially braided line that is tough to cut with pliers
Quick, Precise cuts
Essential if your pliers don't have a cutting feature

Tackle Storage

A tackle box or bag is an essential to be able to start fishing. You have to have somewhere to store all of your baits, lures, and tackle you're bringing along with you. You don't need a huge tackle bag to get started but as you accumulate more gear, you will want something big enough to carry everything because you never know what opportunity will present itself out on the water. Here are some recommendations:

Worm Bag: These are great for new anglers because they are usually large enough to hold the amount of gear a new angler would have on hand. You can also add more worm bags and toss them into a bigger bag as you accumulate more gear to stay organized.

Tackle Trays: This will be where you store your hard baits with loose hooks. They are sectionalized for organization and customizable based on lure sizes. Tackle Trays come in multiple sizes but a 3600 is the standard size to pair with most backpacks and shoulder bags.

Tackle Backpack: This is a great option for new anglers that are on the move or fishing from the shoreline. You can toss tackle trays and worm bags in the backpack for organization and quick selection while still having everything you need on hand.

Shoulder Bag: This is more for anglers fishing out of a boat but can still be a viable option if you're fishing off of a dock or another stationary position. This is a great option to consider once you start gaining more experience and accumulating more gear.

Our Recommendations

Now that you know the basic gear needed to get started we will provide you with our single most recommended products for each topic that meet the criteria needed by a new angler!