X5 COMBINATION – WHAT YOU NEED TO GO FISHING!
By Riggy
The X5 Combination, along with the World Traveller Combination are our most popular rod and reel combinations. With so many people starting to fish again or just starting to fish, we have been asked to suggest various fishing tackle items you need to make our rods actually work and most importantly catch fish… So, here is the first one… My personal view of what you need to get your X5 fishing pole. Please understand this is my view. All anglers may have variations they prefer. The great news is the fish don’t know what you choose. The other most important thing to know is that we are not asking you to buy this from Rigged and Ready. Hopefully you may have friends who can provide, certainly the tackle element! Also, for the newbies to fishing, remember we have a free to download “How To Fish Guide”
RR3000 SPINNING REEL (FIXED SPOOL REEL) LINE
20lb braid… seems heavy but very light and multi-purpose. You change the leader to suit the fish. Don’t worry about the second spool for now.
FIND FISHING BRAID AND FLURO HERE
Fluorocarbon line. 12lb and 4lbs… You can use this instead of a fly leader. I do…1m or so 12lb and then 1.5m 4lb for the leader. If you are fishing for pike, or may catch pike, you will need a pike spinning trace (they bite through the line)
NOTE… It’s easy to spool line… Look on YouTube or ask me to find you a link. Knots are easy. I only use one for everything. With braid, do an extra loop and check it doesn’t slip.
HOW TO SPOOL FISHING LINE ON YOUTUBE HERE
DOWNLOAD THE HOW TO FISH GUIDE HERE
RR FLY REEL
Fly Line… An intermediate #6 weight intermediate line is best to cover everything. This sinks slowly so works with floating flies and sinking flies. For backing line, use about 30m of the braid, unless someone has some old line (10lb+). Backing line and fly line can be expensive. Unless you catch a monster, you will never see the backing! We do very affordable fly lines, as your fly fishing progresses, you. You can pay a fortune for fly line. All the fish sees, or should see is your fly, not you!
CHECK OUT THE FLY LINES, FLIES AND FLY LEADERS HERE
FISHING FLIES & LEADERS
If you have progressed that far. Then we have a general set that covers anything you need. You may want to buy some fly flotant and fly sinking grease…everyone does. Makes them float longer or sink faster. We would suggest a 9ft, 5lb fishing leader between your fly line and fishing fly. Always buy barbless flies. Much better for fish and much better for you if you get one stuck in you.
OTHER ESSENTIAL FISHING TACKLE TO FISH
You can buy, and you will buy, endless, hooks, lures, weights and fishing tackle of various sizes to suit different fishing techniques, however, to get you going, best start simply. The Fish Rig Tackle Box has everything to get you fishing. Spinners, hooks, floats, weights, ready-made fishing kits for float and drop shot, swivels, disgorger, spoons and hooks to line. There is also the How to Fish 8-page guide to fishing in there. The absolute basics to spin, bait fish, fish with soft rubber baits, float fish and drop shot. Always buy barbless hooks or micro-barb (ours are micro-barb in the kits)
NON-ESSENTIAL TACKLE AND ITEMS
FISHING PLYERS
Plyers or scissors that can cut line and traces and if needed unhook fish. We have some, however you may have them already. If you are PIKE fishing… I don’t suggest it yet if you are new to fishing; you need long nosed plyers and a leather glove for this… You can easily catch one when you go after small fish and often, they will eat the small fish you have caught before it comes in…. A little bit of research will help… You will only make the mistake once… Look up how to deal with pike. Top tip from me, is when they are on their back, between your knees they lie still… much easier dealing with teeth if they are not gnashing at you!
NAIL CLIPPERS
Nail clippers… always useful
LANDING NET
You can hand catch fish; however, you can very easily regret it as they are slippery b@ggers and can easily escape, or worse get injured. We do a tiny fold away one. This also protects the fish from damage. We always suggest catch and release and barbless fishing to protect fish and fish stocks.
UNHOOKING MAT
If you are going to take social media pics with a fish on the floor, don’t show it on rocks… You will get nailed about fish care. Unhooking mat or cheaper wet towel is ok. You may want to invest in a rucksack. All our Rigged and Ready rods and tackle are designed to go into or hang off small rucksacks. Bag below shows the X5 rod, landing net and unhooking mat all outside the Rigged and Ready Rucksack (coming soon)
SMALL LURES
There are 2 in your basic tackle box, however you will, like us all lose some…I prefer small lures if I want to be sure to catch fish. The choice is endless. There are 10’s of thousands to choose from. Small or large shiny things are a good place to start. Always buy barbless hooks. Much better for fish and much better for you if you get one stuck in you.
SOFT RUBBER LURES AND JIGS
Now the big trend fishing with soft rubber lures. For knowledge and choice how to fish these, best check out YouTube or ask a friend. There are thousands to choose from. We offer 2 soft lure and jig sets. Always buy barbless hooks or micro-barb (ours are micro-barb in the kits). Much better for fish and much better for you if you get one stuck in you.
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
A total gamechanger for seeing fish underwater. If you have eyesight problems to you buy sunglasses with a magnifier, to help sort out those finicky knots
TOWEL
Even if you have an unhooking mat, have a small hand towel. If you ever catch a bream, you with email me to thank me for that tip! Clean dry hands make all the difference on a fishing trip.
AND FINALLY
So… that’s it… Enough to get you going with the X5. You will soon see how your tackle and knowledge on fishing will develop. If you have been fishing for some time, you already know this. It can get very expensive.
Please do send us your fishing adventure stories and pictures. If we use them on our social you will get a free Rigged and Ready cap, that only is given to all anglers making our news.
